Singapore Army Pictures - 2014 Onwards

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The Geo-Political Context of US-Singapore Ties: Milestones in Security Cooperation (Part 3 of 4)

Below, US Congressman Randy Forbes (Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee) noted on his facebook page: "Had the opportunity this week to meet with Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s Prime Minister, along with my Democratic colleague Rep Hanabusa, to discuss the relationship between our two countries. Looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Republic of Singapore."

Intense military-to-military cooperation led to the US Navy's recent decision to station up to 4 Littoral combat ships in Singapore. The US continues to look for other ways to enhance cooperation. This includes pre-positioning supplies to improve disaster response; improving command and control capabilities; and expanding training opportunities to help prepare US forces for the challenges both militaries face operating in the Pacific. In fact, more Singaporean military personnel train in the US than from any other country, be it for courses, be it the stationing of fighter and helicopter detachments or even SAF major exercises in the US, like Exercise Forging Sabre. Luke Air Force Base hosted Exercise Forging Sabre 2013 (from 4 December to 15 December 2013), an exercise involving the 425 Fighter Squadron, the 428th Fighter Squadron from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, the Peace Vanguard (Apache training detachment at Silver Bell Army Heliport in Marana, Arizona) and the Peace Prairie (Chinook training detachment at Grand Prairie Army Aviation Support Facility in Texas) detachments, and members of the SAF. The purpose of the exercise is to provide the SAF with an opportunity to exercise and train its full spectrum of command, control and execution.

Below, a ScanEagle UAV's surveillance image shows a moving target being hit by a Laser JDAM dropped by a F-15SG in Exercise Forging Sabre 2013. And if you haven't already caught the video of the air force at work, do check it out at http://goo.gl/xeaG5B

As Lee Kuan Yew once said, a small country like Singapore seeks a maximum number of friends, while maintaining the freedom to be itself as a sovereign and independent nation. Both parts of the equation – a maximum number of friends and freedom to be act – are equally important and inter-related.

US-Singapore Milestones in Cooperation

January 1988 : Inauguration of the first Republic of Singapore Air Force training detachment in the US

November 1990 : Signed Memorandum of Understanding for the United States Use of Facilities in Singapore, which provide the US access to Singapore's military facilities.

November 1998 : Signed an Addendum to the 1990 MOU, extending the use of Changi Naval Base to the US

April 2000 : Inauguration of the annual Permanent Secretary/ Undersecretary-level Defence Cooperation Committee (DCC) overseeing defence technology collaboration

July 2005 : Strategic Framework Agreement for a Closer Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security, Singapore and the US become Major Security Cooperation Partners.

Below, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) and Commander of the United States Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Locklear during an Honors Ceremony at the United States Pacific Command Headquarters in April 2014.

At the sidelines of the April 2014 Informal US-ASEAN Defense Meeting in Honolulu, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the United States Pacific Command (US PACOM). As part of the visit, Dr Ng met with Commander of the US PACOM Admiral (ADM) Samuel Locklear and was hosted to a roundtable discussion. Dr Ng and ADM Locklear noted the good progress of bilateral cooperation under the 2005 US-Singapore Strategic Framework Agreement, and looked forward to the upcoming deployment of the next Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Fort Worth, to Singapore later this year. Both sides also discussed the US rebalance and engagement of the Asia-Pacific, and other geopolitical developments.

Below, U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets Singaporean Chief of Defense Force Lt. Gen. Ng Chee Meng in front of the Pentagon, Aug. 21, 2014. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual importance. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Hinton

Lt. Gen. Ng, paid his respects to America's fallen during an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath Laying ceremony with Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Following the wreath laying ceremony Ng presented the Tomb of the Unknowns a plaque inscribed with the motto of the Singapore Armed Forces, Yang Pertama Dan Utama, which means 'First and Foremost'. Ng stopped in Washington, D.C., during his eight day introductory visit to the United States.

Below, Aug. 21, 2014, US Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert hosts the Republic of Singapore Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Ng during an office call at the Pentagon. Ng visited Greenert to discuss continued partnership opportunities following a counterpart meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ng visited Greenert to discuss continued partnership opportunities following a counterpart meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Adm. Jonathan Greenert said: "We had a great discussion on our navies maritime partnership and maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region. I was happy to congratulate General Ng on Singapore's success during the recent RIMPAC exercise and to discuss the plans for operating Littoral Combat Ships out of Singapore in the coming years." (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor/Released)

Lt. Gen. Ng visited the Pentagon to meet with U.S. Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey and CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert to discuss matters of mutual interest. Following his departure from Washington, D.C., Lt. Gen. Ng was scheduled to travel to Colorado Spring, Colo., to meet with officials from U.S. Northern Command and visit the United States Air Force Academy.

Both Dr Ng's and Lt. Gen. Ng's visits to the US underscores the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the US and Singapore. The Singapore Armed Forces and US PACOM interact extensively through joint training and exercises, staff talks, visits and professional exchanges. These interactions have enhanced the interoperability between the two armed forces as well as the rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel.​

While US–Singapore relations are multifaceted, the key pillar of the strategic relationship is built on intense military-to-military cooperation. After Singapore's independence, when the Vietnam War was at its height -- Britain announced the withdrawal of its traditional military footprint from Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew has consistently emphasized the value of America's military presence in the region, particularly in fighting the spread of communism during the Cold War, and in terms of the general stability our presence brings to the region. When communism fell in 1989 America’s military presence around the world was the subject of much discussion. As Lee Kuan Yew once said: "The American presence…is essential for the continuation of international law and order in East Asia."

When President George HW Bush became the first American president to visit Singapore in 1992, that visit was seen as a gesture of American gratitude to Singapore for opening its arms to US warships and airplanes at a time when the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia had all spoken against the idea of US military facilities in Southeast Asia.

In the 1991 Gulf War, a 30-strong SAF medical team led by the then MAJ (Dr) Tan Chi Chiu was deployed and based in the British Army Rear Hospital at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The strategic relationship continued as Singapore gave the US permission to land aircraft en route to Kuwait and Iraq traveling from the United States and Asia during the 1991 Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield) and also in the 2003 invasion of Iraqi (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Beyond just giving landing rights, Singapore is also a burden sharing partner. Between 2008 and 2012, Singapore a city-state, with a population of just 5.3 million, was the world's fifth-largest arms importer, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Singapore consistently allocates about 20 percent of national spending to defence. Many Americans are not aware that:-

(i) over 1,400 Singaporeans have served under CTF 151 as part of the counter-piracy effort in the Gulf of Aden. Singaporean boarding teams have faced off with pirates and sank their attack skiffs in Operation Blue Sapphire (see [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY9YPm0L35o&list=PL11834760C9BD2916"]Ep 4: Bravo Zulu - Well Done! (Securing Safe Passage - SAF In The Gulf Of Aden) - YouTube[/nomedia]);

(ii) 492 Singaporeans have served in Afghanistan. In recognition of the work done from 2007 to 2013, a number of SAF officers have been awarded US military decorations for their meritorious service in Afghanistan. These include: LTC Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman (US Joint Service Commendation Medal - 2013), and MAJ Cai Dexian (US Army Bronze Star - 2012). The four officers were awarded US Army Commendation Medal were as follows: LTC Lock Wai Leck, Willy (2012), LTC Chan Ming Hoe (2012), MAJ Wong Wei Han, Gareth (2011), and MAJ Lim Kian Peng, Adrian (2011). Not to forget, Col. Mike Tan (US Army Meritorious Service Medal), who served as a Strategic Planner in the J5 Directorate of the US Central Command where he participated in planning in Operation Enduring Freedom, many years ago. For details on Operation Blue Ridge, see: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KnsrozJfw"]Singapore Army: Operation Blue Ridge (OBR) Documentary - Full Version - YouTube[/nomedia];

RSS Endurance (207) and RSS Persistence (209), together with sister ship RSS Endeavour (210), sailed to Aceh for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations following the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. Below, RSS Endurance (207) and RSS Persistence (209) anchored less than 1 km off the devastated coastline of Meulaboh, Aceh in early January 2005.

(iii) over 1,500 reservists, NSFs and regulars were deployed to provide humanitarian assistance to Meulaboh, Aceh, an area with an active insurgency, in January 2005. In the case of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami:-

Below, a picture of the then Col. Tan Chuan-Jin (right) and currently, Singapore's Minister for Manpower, taken during Operation Flying Eagle, Meulaboh, Aceh. 2005 — in Meulaboh, Indonesia.

(a) Commander 21st Division (a 1 star) and his command staff were deployed to Banda Aceh in support humanitarian operations under Operation Flying Eagle. Within days of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, the 21st Division (Singapore Guards) landed a reinforced battalion size force, in multiple phases - with combat engineers creating beach-heads, clearing roads of debris and providing drinking water; with medical and surgical teams providing care for the injured; with a command team to plan and manage the massive logistics required to help the locals;

(b) RSS Endurance was the first foreign navy ship to re-establish a life-line to Meulaboh (a coastal town in West Sumatra that was previously completely cut off after the tsunami). Singapore's contributions to Indonesia included the deployment of three Endurance Class LPDs, eight CH-47 Chinooks and four Super Pumas, six C-130s, two F-50s, a mobile air traffic control tower (see this video: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnZVrs5Sjp4#t=436"]Defence Watch (Feb 05) - Operation Flying Eagle - YouTube[/nomedia]);

(c) with host nation support in Singapore, US Commands (Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific and Naval Regional Contracting Center Singapore) worked 24/7 to surge supply capacity in support of the humanitarian effort in Operation Unified Assistance in support of American relief efforts after the tsunami;

(d) during the conduct of Operation Unified Assistance by US PACOM, two SAF officers proficiently in Bahasa Indonesia, with in-depth knowledge of Indonesian culture, psyche, and sensitivities to the presence of foreign military forces, were posted as Liaison Officers to enable the US to deliver aid to Indonesia with less fiction;​

and

(iv) 998 Singaporeans from the army, navy and air force served in Iraq and the Northern Arabian Gulf from 2004 to 2008. The SAF deployments in support of Operation Blue Orchid included:-

Below, as part of coalition efforts, a boarding team from Naval Diving Unit (NDU), launched from RSS Persistence, patrol the seas in the Northern Arabian Gulf in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat as part of Operation Blue Orchid in 2007 to deter insurgent attacks.

(a) Navy: 5x deployments of Endurance Class LPDs for the seaward defence of Iraq for 300 days against suicide boat attacks - which included NDU boarding teams conducting routine inspection of ships and dhows for explosives and other threats to protect Iraqi's two oil terminals. The Singapore Navy also trained the Iraqi Navy and helped them extend their operating range by refueling their patrols boats at sea (see this video on SAF in Iraq: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpC4TTkT8Iw"]In The Service of Peace - YouTube[/nomedia]);

(b) Air Force: 1x C-130 deployment for 2 months carrying men, cargo and equipment and performing evasive manoeuvres for about 1/3 of their 29 missions completed in 190 hrs of flight time (in the above video, you can see the force protection team deployed with the C-130); 5x KC-135R deployments for 3 months, each, all facing the danger of short-range SAM attacks with 303 missions completed in 1,800 hrs of flight time (see also: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUstvXSytRc"]DHL Airbus A300 Struck By Missile, Baghdad - YouTube[/nomedia]); and

(c) Army: 4 officers, each, serving a 6 month tour under coalition command in Iraq.​

The Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

As part of the SAF's efforts to help locate the missing Malaysian Airline flight MH370, personnel at the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) have been working tirelessly in March 2014 to provide all necessary assistance.

"The IFC is considered one of our reliable sources of information in obtaining updates on the Search and Locate operation. Furthermore, its effort in collating information of the assets involved, especially by commercial shipping in the area, helps to paint a better picture and creates better awareness", said Malaysian International Liaison Officer (ILO), LCDR Shahruzikri bin Abdul Jalil. He is one of 13 ILOs working in the centre, which has activated its network of 13 military navies and over 50 civilian shipping companies worldwide to support the international search efforts for #MH370.

Above, Maj Feroz Bin Mohamed Akber completed the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College (USMC CSC).The USMC CSC is a 10 month course to develop officers into critical thinkers who could lead in uncertain security environments. Maj Feroz achieved outstanding results and graduated with the Distinguished Graduate award and the Brigadier A. W. Hammett award for most outstanding paper by an international student. Maj Feroz shares his experience,

“The course enhanced my awareness and understanding of security issues that confront the global security community today. The SAF Leadership Framework brought to light my strengths and weaknesses and it enabled me to focus on self-development in the course. The framework also instilled good fundamentals for me to cope and adapt to the dynamic requirements of the USMC CSC.”​

Above, MAJ Francis Yeo graduated from the US Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Captain Career Course. He performed outstandingly and was awarded the International Distinguished Honour Graduate Award.

Above, CPT Phua Teck Seng recently completed the US Combined Logistics Course. He achieved outstanding results and graduated as the Distinguished International Honor Graduate.

 

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Above, 747 Guards held their August 2013 National Day Observance Parade outfield. The NSmen of 747 Guards are on their 7th In-Camp Training (ICT) and will be undergoing their Army Training Evaluation exercise in the same month, as part of their active reserve cycle lasting 10 years. A high key ICT would typically last 21-days and over a period of 45 years, 900,000 Singaporean men have been trained under this system.

Upon completion of their full time service, NSFs become NSmen and starts their 10 year cycle in the active reserves. Below, a chart of the 10 year cycle.

Below, trainees of the 01/14 Guards Conversion Course (GCC) and the 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards' (3GDS) Guards Advanced Infantry Training (GAIT) have persevered through weeks of rigorous and intensive training for this goal: the right to wear the Guards tab and their distinctive khaki beret. The trainees have not slept for over 60 hours, and they are tasked with one mission after another. With just a few hours away from their graduation, these trainees hold on to the Guardsmen spirit as they push themselves to the limit, see: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqd1o0AsVs"]Ep 7: "Making the Cut" - Guards Conversion Course - YouTube[/nomedia]

Below, the trainee Guardsmen are put through their paces in heli-borne and amphibious operations by the Guards Cadre trainers.

Below, the trainee Guardsmen descend from a Super Puma hovering about eight storeys above the ground (see: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f707VXCnTg4"]Ep 3: "Making the Cut" - Guards Conversion Course - YouTube[/nomedia]).

Below, a trainee Guardsman, planning an assault in one of the many exercises during 01/14 GCC.

Singapore's Minister of Defence has recently announced that the SAF's fleet of armoured vehicles will double in the next 10 years. The Singapore Army in 2030 will certainly be more mobile. The number of units that will operate on wheel or track platforms will almost double by 2024. The June 2014 issue of IHS Janes has said that production of the Kodiak Armoured Engineering Vehicle "is now under way for an undisclosed customer in Asia – understood to be Singapore – with first deliveries due in late 2014." See the quote below taken from the Feb 2014 issue of Asian Military Review for more details of the Singapore Army's armoured vehicle fleets:

"Singapore has assumed near-independence in terms of armoured-vehicle production specifically through ST Kinetics (STK). Introduced in 1999 the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) appears in several variants: the Bionix 40/50 has a one-man cupola with a 40 millimetre (1.6 inch) automatic grenade launcher and .50-cal machine gun; Bionix 25 with 25mm (one-inch) ATK M242 cannon in a two-man turret; and Bionix II with 30mm (1.2-in) ATK Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon. An estimated 720 Bionix vehicles are in service. The Singapore Army also has Bionix recovery, bridge-laying and mine-clearing variants.

The STK Terrex eight-wheel-drive vehicle reached FOC in mid-2011, with production beginning via a contract for 135 vehicles to equip three infantry battalions. By early 2013, the initial order had been fulfilled and another contract was believed to have been placed. The 24-tonne Terrex is fully amphibious, and the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) variant is armed with an EOS R-600 Remote Weapon Station (RWS). A gunshot detection system is mounted on some vehicles, and the Terrex is fitted with a high-tech Battlefield Management System (BMS) from ST Electronics. Additionally, the Command, Control and Information System (CCIS) synchronises dismounted infantry troops fitted with the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) to higher headquarters. Singapore has other Terrex types planned: Anti-Tank Guided Missile (using the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike missile); Command, Medical; Pioneer (with obstacle-clearing blade and gap-crossing Heavy Short Trackway Bridge); Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA); and STrike OberveR Mission (STORM) for artillery observers. The Terrex was one of four shortlisted vehicles in the US Marine Corps Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) requirement before the project was frozen in 2013.

Singapore also owns some of the region’s most capable tanks. Taking advantage of a German sell-off, Singapore procured 96 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBT), 30 of which were spare-parts donors. They were immediately put through an upgrade programme engineered by IBD Deisenroth Engineering. The resulting Leopard 2SG is fitted with IBD’s Evolution suite that boasts fourth-generation Advanced Modular Armour Protection (AMAP), plus steel slat armour installed on the hull, turret rear and flanks. An Active Protection System (APS) from ADS Gesellschaft of Germany is likely to equip the vehicles but has not been seen publicly to date. Singapore has also inducted Leopard 2 Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridges and Armoured Engineering Vehicles. It is believed Singapore desires a new light tank to replace its retired AMX-13 fleet too.

In late 2009 the army took delivery of the first of 18 Lockheed Martin High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). These truck-mounted 227mm (nine inch) rocket systems with 70km (44 mile) range became operational with the 23rd Battalion in September 2011. In November, Singapore requested the sale of 88 Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) pods and associated rockets from Lockheed Martin. Meanwhile, STK is conducting feasibility studies on a 155mm (6.1 inch) Advanced Mobile Gun System based on an eight-wheel-drive chassis. The conceptual 28-tonne vehicle offers improved mobility compared to STK-produced tracked Primus self-propelled and Pegasus towed howitzers."​

Below, 702 Guards disembarking from RSN Fast Crafts during Exercise Golden Sand during their final In-Camp-Training before standing down as a fighting unit.

Follow the NSmen from the 702nd Battalion, Singapore Guards in their battalion coastal hook operations codenamed Exercise Golden Sand. For most, this was their last in-camp training. The stakes were high, but other than ensuring mission success, the men of 702 Guards wanted to leave behind a legacy for their fellow Guardsmen serving their National Service: [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_88Sn8z_oWU&list=UU4BCUrNe2X5UJkvzeRG12gQ"]Brothers in Arms - YouTube[/nomedia]

Above a C-130 aircraft air-dropping logistics supplies as part of Exercise Golden Sand.

Above, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited NSmen from 702 Guards participating in Exercise Golden Sand at Pulau Sudong on 24 April 2014. Conducted from 14 to 28 Apr 2014, the exercise also involved support elements from the Army, the RSAF and the RSN. The exercise required the unit to conduct a battalion coastal hook to test its integration and operational readiness with other elements of the SAF. The coastal hook involved SAF troops and M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers disembarking from RSN fast crafts with support from RSAF AH-64D Apache helicopters.

 

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Singapore and the Infantry Units of the Singapore Army

Above, three Singaporean-men from one family, wearing the different army uniforms of their time (Temasek green, woodland camouflage, and the current digital camouflage).

Following Singapore’s separation from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, Dr Goh Keng Swee handed the Ministry of Finance over to his successor Mr Lim Kim San and took up the position of Minister of Defense. As Minister of Defense, Dr Goh was tasked to secure Singapore’s national borders from both internal and external threats. A government gazette released in October 1965 stated that his field of responsibility included “Security, Law and Order, Defense, National Service…People’s Association, Vigilante Corps”. Dr Goh'’s most immediate and important task as Defense Minister was to build up a credible Singapore armed forces, literally from scratch, in double quick time. Dr Goh was convinced that a strong Singapore army was necessary to secure the country’s independence. Dr Goh succeeded in this daunting challenge, and in the process laid the foundations of one of the most important and successful Singapore state institutions in a mere six years -- which is why the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College is named in his honour.

Below, a picture of a barrack at bunk inspection in the 1970s, which is very much part of the Singapore's NS Army experience.

Many ideas and institutions on which the SAF is built were put in place during Dr Goh’s tenure, for instance a conscript army and compulsory national service for young men. He believed that Singaporean citizens should participate directly as soldiers in their country’s defence to reinforce their sense of responsibility to the national community and to strengthen their bonds with one another as countrymen. Dr Goh thought that this was especially important as Singapore then as new nation did not possess a strong national consciousness.

The SAF Pledge

[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ty29TyL4I[/nomedia]​

In Singapore, many of our people are of recent migrant origin. All this goes towards creating a sense of values which is personal, self-centred with anti-social tendencies where a conflict arises between personal interests and social obligations. We cannot hope to remove them overnight, but in the process of creating a stronger national consciousness among our people, we find that military service plays an important integrative role for a young country that will celebrate its 50th birthday on 9 August 2015.

Below, pictures of Singaporeans celebrating SAF Day on 1 July 2014, by posting their old and faded NS photos on their facebook page, to remind fellow Singaporeans the importance of NS as a national institution in protecting our home.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZwxkruidA"]"Home" Music Video - YouTube[/nomedia]

Above, more than 13,000 have collected and donned the SAF Day 2014 picbadge on their profile photos to show their support for our servicemen & women!​

Back then British military protection made quite a number of our citizens complacent about the need to conduct our own defence preparations. It is now regarded as the height of folly to plan our future on the promises of external powers or on the assumption of continued protection by an external patron. The only rational basis on which Singapore, as an independent country, can plan its future is on the opposite assumption -- that Singapore must be defended by Singaporeans. And Singapore is only able to maintain a forward defence posture through compulsory conscription and after 45 years of National Service (NS), compulsory conscription or service to the country is rooted as a value in Singaporean society.

But we as citizens have to pay a price for NS. Every Singaporean family who learns about a training incident are able to commiserate with the family reeling from the loss of their loved one. In their hearts, they know that NS is a risky business and someday, the bearer of bad news could come knocking on their own front door. In the period from 2001 to 2010, 42 Singaporeans died in peacetime military training. The longest fatality-free window period was 401 days (which stretched from 2009 to 2010), which has not been repeated since. This means that on average, 4.2 Singaporeans die serving NS each year. Therefore, the SAF's doctrine and military capability is written with the blood of Singaporeans.

Military training carries with it some random risk. For example on 11 May 2007, a Taiwan Air Force F5F aircraft crashed into a storeroom located within a Taiwanese military facility, resulting in a fire at the storeroom. Some SAF personnel, including Full-Time National Servicemen (NSF), were present in the storeroom at that time, killing 3SG Isz Sazli Bin Sapari and PTE Fan Yao Jin. Below, 3SG Ramakrishnan Karthigayan, one of the two seriously injured servicemen being transferred onto an ambulance.

In a more recent example, on 1 July 2013, the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act was awarded to Second Lieutenant (2LT) Kamalasivam S/O Shanmuganathan, who used his body to protect his recruit and his action averted more serious injury to the recruit during a hand grenade live throwing exercise on 8 March 2013. While 2LT Kamalasivam was only slightly injured in that incident, it is the story of one citizen doing his duty. Below, 2LT Kamalasivam being awarded the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act by the Minister of Defence.

The SAF Medal for Distinguished Act had previously been awarded to 6 SAF personnel and 1 from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF):-

(i) Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Toh Boh Kwee, First Warrant Officer (1WO) Mohinder Singh, First Sergeant (1SG) Teo Boon Hong and Lieutenant Leroy Forrester from the NZDF for risking their lives to help injured soldiers immediately after an in-bore explosion of a 155mm artillery round in the barrel of an FH2000 gun-howitzer occurred during a live firing exercise in New Zealand in 1997.

(ii) LTC Lo Yong Po for remaining behind in an area that was overrun by insurgents to see to the safe extrication of UN officials after extensive fighting broke out during his participation in the United Nations Special Mission in Afghanistan (UNSMA) in 1998.

(iii) Captain (NS) Kok Yin Khong for administering first aid, while exposed to hostile fire, to a UN military observer who was shot by an unidentified gunman in a fire fight, when he was serving in the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) in 1998.

(iv) 2LT Kok Khew Fai for his act of courage to save a recruit's life during a hand grenade live throw exercise in Mar 2008. 2LT Kok threw himself on top of the recruit to shield him from the blast when the explosive slipped from the recruit's hand during the throw and landed on the ground behind them.​

September 2013, marked the conclusion of the NSF journey for soldiers from the 14th Mono-intake, 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR). Below, one last 3 SIR group picture before they become the operationally ready NSmen of 798 SIR!

Below, cake cutting to commemorate 3 SIR's 46th anniversary by the Commanding Officer, at the 3 SIR Operationally Ready Date (ORD) Function.

Upon completion of their full time service, NSFs become NSmen and starts their 10 year cycle in the active reserves.

The SAF maintains eight full-time Singapore Infantry Regiments to form the conscript infantry core of the Singapore Army's 2nd People's Defence Force (2PDF), 3rd Division, 6th Division and 9th Division, at the following army camps:-

• 1st Battalion - Mandai Hill Camp
• 2nd Battalion - Amoy Quee Camp
• 3rd Battalion - Selarang Camp
• 4th Battalion - Lim Chu Kang Camp I
• 5th Battalion - Bukit Panjang Camp
• 6th Battalion - Maju Camp
• 8th Battalion - Clementi Camp
• 9th Battalion - Maju Camp

2PDF is responsible for island defence, whereas, the 3rd, 6th and 9th Divisions, as combined arms divisions, play an important role in providing the SAF with a forward deployment posture that is capable of decisive action, should the need arise. However, any discussion of the infantry core of the Singapore Army would not be complete without mentioning the 21st Division (the Guards Formation), as a rapid deployment division (in the Army's operational reserve), providing the Singapore Army with an additional capability to support Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). The elite Guards Formation is comprised of the following active infantry units:-

• The Army Developmental Force (1 ADF)
• 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards
• 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (on 1 Jul 1980, 7 SIR was transferred to 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade and renamed as 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards

1 ADF is an evergreen elite infantry unit that provides the 21st Division with a classified capability that has often been deployed in MOOTW or as part of force protection measures in higher risk overseas operations in support of US CENTCOM and 5th Fleet requirements. The high readiness company of 1 ADF has an annual currency budget (for ammo and training) that exceeds by many times that of normal battalions mainly because it needs to be able to deploy on short notice.

 

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SINGAPORE AID TO VICTIMS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN AND CREATION OF A REGIONAL C2 CENTRE

RSAF C-130 Relief Efforts in Philippines (15 Nov 2013)

Singapore was one of the first countries to reach out to the Filipino people in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan—and the assistance that their people and government gave is deeply appreciated. Singapore deployed a Civil Defense Force team to assist the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities. They also deployed a C-130 aircraft to support ferrying operations between Tacloban and Manila. This is on top of the cash and in-kind donations consisting of 33,600 US dollars in emergency supplies, US$96,000 dollars in relief goods, and US$160,000 dollars as seed money for the Singapore Red Cross’ Typhoon Haiyan fund-raising drive.

The RSAF team hard at work, ferrying bags of aid from Manila to Tacloban, and evacuating civilians from Tacloban to Manila.

The irony is that the Philippines is well aware of Singapore's military capabilities for a HADR mission (demonstrated in numerous operations abroad, including deploying 28 medical personnel in Baguio, Luzon, after an earthquake struck in July 1990), and Singapore's Prime Minister has officially told the Philippines that the country stands ready to help. However, the red tape, was NOT removed by the Philippine Government (i.e. their government has not given permission for Singaporean ground troops to assist after Typhoon Haiyan).

Rescuers Race to Philippines as Typhoon Deaths Rise

Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Rescue workers from Japan to Singapore are rushing to the Philippines after Super Typhoon Haiyan flattened buildings and unleashed storm surges that may have killed as many as 10,000 people.

Japan and Singapore are among countries sending in relief teams, while the Australian government announced A$10 million ($9.4 million) in assistance and China Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the government and local Red Cross will collectively donate $200,000. The Philippine government warned the devastation may adversely impact the economy and sent in police and soldiers to prevent looting as survivors searched for food. The peso and stocks weakened...

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Singapore Civil Defence Force has deployed a second team of officers to the Philippines. The team comprises 2 officers, Captain Matthew Tay and Staff Sergeant Jack Tan, Tuas View Fire Station, 4th Division. They will relieve Captain Fhadley Meselan and Warrant officer Ridzal Mohamed Hussein who were deployed to the Philippines on 7 November 2013. Captain Fhadley and Warrant Officer Ridzal are expected to return to Singapore later this week.

Under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, SCDF officers are reinforcing the UN Disaster Assessment Center Team in the overall administration of the on-going relief efforts. This includes assisting management of the Reception/ Departure Centre, a focal point used to coordinate the arrival and departure of relief agencies. In addition, the SCDF officers will provide support to the UN team in maintaining communication links and Information Technology coverage to facilitate the coordination of the humanitarian relief efforts.

On 15 November, the team ferried 180 30KG bags of aid from Manila to Tacloban, and evacuated 78 civilians from Tacloban to Manila.

Despite these obstacles, Singapore is an aid provider for Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines. This includes sending medical personnel from the Red Cross and technical personnel from SCDF to help UN OCHA. The SAF is not being used to do more because of the choices made by the Philippine Government. The Philippines and Singapore had a military training agreement in 1994 (Anoa-Singa bilateral exercises). These joint exercises were suspended in 1996 by the Philippines. Since 1996, the ties at army to army level have been cut via the Philippine cancellation of the exercises. These army to army ties have not been restored by Pinoy choice.

The Singapore Red Cross is doing all it can to help the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan (by consistently deploying small medical teams to provide relief in the Philippines). The Philippines has a long road ahead, in rebuilding after this typhoon. I wish the people of the Philippines affected by the typhoon all the best their reconstruction efforts. However, the volume of immediate aid Singapore can provide is constrained by the Philippine Government's unwillingness to sign a status of visiting forces agreement with the SAF. There is no sign of progress after 7 years. Correctly understood, countries mobilize their military to provide help at the request of the Philippine Government. Only when an official request is made by the Philippines, can the SAF provide the last mile service to help in a HADR scenario.

 

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Exercise Tiger Balm 2014 (1 of 3)

Below, Brigadier-General (BG) Todd B. McCaffrey delivering the opening address for Ex Tiger Balm 2014 (US Army photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs).

Video 1: Exercise Tiger Balm 2014

Video 2: Exercise Tiger Balm 2014

14 July 2014 -- The Singapore and the United States Armies are conducting an annual bilateral training exercise, codenamed Tiger Balm, from 15 to 27 July 2014. Chief of Staff, 9th Singapore Division (9 DIV), Colonel (COL) Mohamad Fadzully bin Abas and the Deputy Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Division (25 ID), United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), Brigadier-General (BG) Todd B. McCaffrey, co-officiated at the opening ceremony of the exercise in Hawaii this morning (Singapore time).

The brigade-level exercise involves about 300 personnel from the 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade; 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 25 ID, USARPAC; and 29th IBCT, Hawaii Army National Guard. Together, they will conduct a command post exercise focusing on peace support and stability operations.

Speaking after the opening ceremony, COL Fadzully highlighted that Exercise Tiger Balm enhances the strong relationship between the two armies. He said, "This exercise is a good platform for both armies to interoperate and exchange best practices. We value the training opportunities and look forward to the professional interactions with the US Army." BG McCaffrey highlighted that this exercise "allows our division to partner and improve our interoperability with one of Asia's most advanced and well trained armies." He added that both armies could "gain a deepened understanding of the tactics, techniques, and procedures each of our units use to accomplish their mission."

Counter IED training

Soldiers from 2-35 Infantry Battalion "Cacti", Bronco Brigade, 3rd BCT 25th ID, 25th Infantry Division and a rifle company from the Singapore Army conduct counter IED training at Area X-ray, Schofield Barracks, July 16, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Soldiers jointly searching for signs of a planted IED after the counter-IED lecture.

Below, Singaporean soldiers of the 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, conduct glass house drills during Exercise Tiger Balm at Schofield Barracks, June 17, 2014.

Exercise Tiger Balm is one of many bilateral interactions between the Singapore and US defence establishments. Both countries share an excellent and long-standing defence relationship, and the two armed forces interact extensively through exercises, professional exchange programmes and cross-attendance of professional courses. These interactions have enhanced the professionalism and interoperability between the armed forces and fostered mutual understanding among their personnel.

Above, a "glass house" or "shoot house" is a building used to train soldiers for entering and clearing a building safely and thoroughly.

 

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Exercise Tiger Balm 2014 (2 of 3)

Below, American and Singaporean soldiers on a ruck march together up to KoleKole pass during Exercise Tiger Balm at Schofield Barracks, June 18, 2014.

By way of background for those that don't know, Singapore as a city-state has a mainly conscript army (72,500 active & 312,500 reserves); and when it is mobilized, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is actually larger than many armies in far larger countries within ASEAN. The Singapore Army has:-

(i) 3 modern combined arms divisions (3rd, 6th & 9th Divisions);

(ii) operates 2nd hand Leopard 2 tanks and a range of locally made IFVs and ICVs;

(iii) an elite rapid deployment division (21st Division) and an armoured 25th Division, both of which serve as the army's operational reserve; and

(iv) has a division plus force that is responsible for homeland and key installation defence - the 2nd People's Defence Force (2PDF).​

Please note that the Singapore Armed Forces is not called the Singapore Defence Forces - simply because other than 2PDF - most of our divisions are designed to be forward deployment forces. I tend to see Singapore's deterrence strategy in terms of escalation options - Singapore's defence plans are designed with a certain level of resilience - where the SAF can take an attack, defend against that attack, and at the same time conduct a rapid counter offensive. Beyond these 6 Divisional commands, the SAF has also stood-up a number of task forces to meet our security needs (see org chart here). The more significant of which is the National Maritime Security System (NMSS), which is hard at work to protect Singapore from terrorism.

Below, nothing like a little physical conditioning in a ruck march to get the blood flowing.

Winston Churchill described the British defeat at Singapore in 1942 as 'The greatest disaster ever to befall British arms'. On 15 February 1942, the British Imperial garrison of Singapore, surrendered to a numerically smaller Japanese assault force which were supported by tanks. The British did not expect to face Japanese tanks, nor were they prepared for the swift onslaught. As WWII has shown, a good defence plan for Malaya (against the then external Japanese invasion from the north) from should start at the appropriate geographical choke point in Thai territory (see Appendix 2 for Map of the opening blows in the Pointer Monograph on page 64). The Imperial Japanese Army landed in Thai territory and proceed to march south. There is also a Pointer Monograph on the mistakes in the Malayan Campaign, including a chapter on operational art shortcomings by LTC (NS) Singh and I quote A/P Farrell from the Monograph below:

"The only conceivable scenario in which the 21st century SAF will be fighting on its own is the direct defence of Singapore itself in circumstances where Singapore’s allies are unwilling, or unable, to assist its defence. SAF operations in Cambodia and East Timor were part of larger multi-national efforts and we must assume this will remain the more likely scenario for a long time to come.

The defence and fall of Malaya and Singapore provide a stark if general warning in this respect. Defeat was probably unavoidable for the British Empire in Malaya after the fall of France in 1940, certainly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. But disaster, the rapid and humiliating collapse of the defence on the mainland, need not have happened.

One important reason why it did was the failure of the defenders, especially Malaya Command, to manage the inherent problems of fighting as a coalition. The frustration and pressure of retreat and defeat naturally magnified those problems. Inter- operability in all respects, including moral and psychological, spells the difference between victory and defeat in coalition operations. The SAF must learn to work effectively with foreign partners, just as they must learn to work with it. Finger pointing based on national differences, once started, can be impossible to stop."​

Below, squeezing a little quality time amongst the NCOs with a little chat while on the ruck march.

British military intelligence officer Hughes-Wilson attributes the intelligence effort at Singapore as having four fatal flaws as follows:

(i) underestimation of the enemy;

(ii) fragmentation of effort;

(iii) lack of resources; and

(iv) no influence at the highest levels of command and control.​

In World War II, the Japanese attacked Malaya and Pearl Harbor almost at the same time. In a similar act of tactical brilliance and excellent command of operational art by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), Malaya and Singapore both fell faster than the IJA had hoped. After the surrender of British forces during World War II, the IJA round-uped and exterminated between 25,000 to 50,000, people in Singapore under Operation Sook Ching. Sook Ching is a Chinese term meaning "purge through cleansing". The Japanese term for the operation was Dai Kensho, meaning “great inspection”. The screening was mainly carried out by the Kempeitai (the Japanese military police) in the urban areas and by the Imperial Guards Division in the other districts. Initially, the plan was for the operation to be carried out from 21 to 23 February 1942. It was subsequently extended to 4 March. The screening process was unsystematic and disorganised. Decisions as to who were anti-Japanese were based on the whims of the persons doing the screening. In 1947, seven Japanese officers were charged during a war crimes trial in Singapore for their participation in Operation Sook Ching. All seven officers were found guilty. Two officers, Lieutenant General Saburo Kawamura and Lieutenant Colonel Masayuki Oishi, were sentenced to death while the remaining five were given life sentences.

Below, a view from the rear of the formation of soldiers, against the beautiful Hawaiian backdrop.

Below, a pair of Singaporean company sharpshooters at the range with their Knight's Armament M110 semi-automatic 7.62mm rifle (USA), during Exercise Tiger Balm at Schofield Barracks.

 

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Exercise Tiger Balm 2014 (3 of 3)

Singaporean soldiers of the 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, and Soldiers of Alpha Company, 2-35 Infantry Battalion, Bronco Brigade, 3rd BCT 25th ID, 25th Infantry Division, conduct a live-fire exercise during Exercise Tiger Balm at Schofield Barracks, July 23, 2014.

Rehearsal of Concept Drills

Singaporean soldiers of the 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade prepare for their upcoming live-fire exercise with 2-35 Infantry Battalion, Bronco Brigade, 3rd BCT 25th ID, 25th Infantry Division, by conducting Rehearsal of Concept Drills during Exercise Tiger Balm at Schofield Barracks, June 22, 2014.

Insights from a NBR Analysis (Vo. 14, No. 2, Aug 2003) titled: "Theater Security Cooperation in the U.S. Pacific Command: An Assessment and Projection" by Sheldon W. Simon, from over 10 years ago, reinforce some of the core issues discussed here. As the Americans noted in this report, Singapore believes defense is our own responsibility. While the SAF desires inter-operability with other forces it is also designed to operate on it's own, if need be. I quote a small section of what he wrote and in particular, what he said about Singapore:

"Of America’s three closest Southeast Asian security partners, (Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines), only Singapore’s armed forces are sufficiently technologically proficient to interact with U.S. forces in a manner comparable to Japan, the ROK, and Australia...

Singapore’s defense concerns focus entirely on its own neighborhood. As a major international port and business center, maintaining freedom of the SLOCs and air routes is essential to the city-state’s prosperity. This core interest fits well with U.S. East Asian strategy... Moreover, Singapore is the only Southeast Asian military to have an active rapid deployment force, which operates in an integrated manner with the navy and air force...

While the city-state prefers U.S. defense technology because of its superiority and logistical advantages, Singapore also maintains a complex system of licensed production, assembly, and technology agreements with Britain, France, Italy, Israel, Thailand, Sweden, and Taiwan...

The United States has solidified its security ties to Singapore with a logistics facility, which provides a surge capacity during crises, and was used in Operation Enduring Freedom. Moreover, the new Changi Naval Base, with its deep-water capability, permits the berthing of U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Despite these close ties, Singapore is not completely satisfied with its U.S. defense relationship. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) desires full technology release on all systems it purchases. That is, Singapore wishes to have the right to modify U.S. technology to fit its own needs. Therefore, it is less concerned with maintaining interoperability with the United States than with integrating U.S. equipment into Singapore’s own armed forces doctrine...

At bottom, Singapore believes defense to be essentially its own responsibility. What it wants from the United States, therefore, is increased technology transfer to enhance its independent military capability. Singapore is more enthusiastic about multilateral anti-terrorist cooperation, though even along this dimension the city - state seems more comfortable sharing intelligence with the United States than its neighbors...

Protecting the Strait of Malacca where 1,100 supertankers pass eastbound annually is of great concern to Singapore. A terrorist incident could disrupt traffic simply by causing insurance rates to skyrocket... Terrorist groups have engaged in piracy according to the Malaysian Institute for Maritime Affairs. The MILF and Abu Sayyaf from the Philippines have attacked vessels in the Sulu Sea; and although some anti-piracy cooperation occurs among the littoral states, obstacles remain... This is a particular problem when pirates flee into Indonesian waters among that country’s thousands of islands..."

Army Training Evaluation Centre

In September 2013, the Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) for reached the mile-stone of evaluating the operational readiness of the 250th unit over the span of 23 years. Thus far, 150,000 soldiers from combat units have undergone the evaluation by ATEC. To provide a realistic and tough evaluation, a reliable opposing force (OPFOR) is necessary, and soldiers with the appropriate skills sourced from the formations. The soldiers that form the OPFOR comes from the respective formations (the Armour Training Institute provides OPFOR soldiers for platform evaluations, while the Infantry Training Institute provides OPFOR soldiers for the Infantry evaluations). CPT Lim Zhenda, Officer Commanding for the Armour OPFOR, emphasises the fundamental training of the OPFOR soldiers in upholding a strong force. He said:

“During training, we would also revise our drills and techniques, tactics and procedures (TTP) to identify weak spots within the Armoured Battle Group and exploit it during evaluations (like ATEC), to allow the unit to take away key lessons and improve thereupon.”​

3SG Hansel Fernandez, Admin OIC from the Armour Training Institute OPFOR, said:

“We follow a simple adage and firmly believe that, “Only a professional opposing force can train a professional Armoured Battle Group”.​

Below, 812 SIR having their Battalion's proficiency at defence being evaluated at ATEC Stage II during their 7th ICT .

821 Singapore Infantry Regiment (821 SIR) - In-Camp Training (ICT) - YouTube​

Each evaluation is now carefully planned to ensure that the respective units are properly tested on their fundamentals and operational readiness. MAJ Ng Boon Seong, a planner in ATEC, said:

“How we plan each evaluation is based on the units’ Battalions Ops Profile. We aim to assess them based on their operational readiness, and how they are prepared to perform when the button is pressed.”​

LTC Maverick Tey Lian Cheong, the Commanding Officer for Infantry Combat Training Centre 1, Infantry Training Institute. LTC Tey, who served as the company umpire for ATEC from 1997 to 1999, felt that the overall mentality of the evaluation process has changed significantly since the introduction of the Action Learning Process (ALP), which enhances the units’ learning process throughout each stage of the evaluation. He said:

“The entire [evaluation] process is now a lot more systemic, and a lot more comprehensive. The introduction of the ALP has also helped us to identify, more acutely, the areas of improvement for each unit. This has helped the units to improve from each time and has also boosted the soldiers’ morale. With a higher sense of confidence, the soldiers can only improve further.”​

Be it during a battalion's 2 year active phase (or reserve phase during the 10 year reserve cycle), units are scheduled for evaluation of their ability to perform as a fighting unit in accordance with their operational profile. Below is video that focuses on the role of one conscript platoon sergeant getting his platoon ready for 6 SIR's ATEC evaluation:-

Ep 2: The Platoon Sergeant (Every Singaporean Son - The Epilogue) - YouTube​

Beyond purchasing the Aster 30 and A330MRTT from the Europeans, to give you an idea of how widely the SAF sources for weapons, I provide a select list as follows:-

(i) Swedish built submarines (i.e. 4 Challenger and 2 Archer classes of Swedish submarines) and mine sweepers (i.e. 4 Bedok Class), the ARTHUR weapon locating radar, the GIRAFFE series of radars for the RSAF/RSN. In particular, the Royal Swedish Navy played an instrumental role in helping the Singapore Navy develop its submarine capability;

(ii) French designed Frigates (Formidable Class), French built Super Pumas & Cougars, the Life Extension Programme of RSN's Swedish built Bedok class mine countermeasure vessels performed by Thales, the towed sonar array and the Herakles multi-function radar on the Formidable Class, Mistral missiles, and so on. The French Government is keen to cultivate close defence ties with Singapore and on 16 April 2014, Singapore and France marked a decade of Joint R&D, with Singapore's only offshore defence R&D laboratory located in France (see this post #69 for details);

(iii) since the German win of the design contract to build the 6 Victory Class corvettes from 1987 (each with 4× Maybach MTU 16 V 538 TB93), the RSN has increasingly depended on German engines for marine propulsion. For example, the 11 Fearless Class (2× MTU 12 V 595 TE 90 diesel engines, each), 6 Formidable Class (4× MTU 20V 8000 M90, each), and the forth coming 8 Littoral Mission Vessels (MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines), along with the 2 Type 218SG submarines on order. The Singapore Army are users of the Leopard 2 and its derivative support vehicles; and Singapore built armoured vehicles, like the Bionix, Bronco, and Terrex also use German passive armour technology, from IBD. The Singapore Army also uses the MAN 16.284 LAERC 5 Ton Trucks, Leopard 2SGs and the German made M3G Float Bridges. Coupled with the fact that Singapore armour trains in Germany, Singapore pretty much entrust a significant degree of our defence needs to the Germans;

(iv) the acquisition of HIMARS, the Ford Everest utility vehicles, MaaxPro DASH MRAPs for the Singapore Army, and the acquisition of a range of American aircraft types for the RSAF/RSN (eg. F-15SGs, F-16C/Ds, Apaches, Chinooks, KC-135Rs and Seahawk naval helicopters) and even ScanEagle UAVs and Harpoon missiles for the RSN. Further, the back-bone of Singapore Tri-Service integration is built on American supplied Link 16 communications and encryption terminals. More importantly, even when a platform is 'Singapore-made', it can have significant American content (eg. Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle and Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier are powered by Caterpillar C9 and C3126B engines, the Primus has a chassis from United Defense and powered by a Detroit Diesel engine). Coupled with the fact that all three services of the SAF trains in the US and the ongoing intense defence cooperation, Singapore has placed its bet on a long term and strategic defence relationship with the Americans;

(v) Russian designed SAM missiles (Igla); and

(vi) Israeli supplied Spike anti-tank missiles, Protector USVs, Heron 1 and Hermes 450 UAVs, G550 AEWs, the Barak missile system on the Victory Class vessels, the EL/M-2238 3D-Surveillance & Threat Alert Radar on the Endurance Class, the Typhoon Gun stabilised gun system on various classes of RSN vessels, and the Spyder air defence anti-aircraft missile system, just to name a few. In Lee Kuan Yew's book, "From Third World to First: The Singapore Story 1965-2000," Singapore's founding father and its first prime minister, disclosed the secret that had been kept for almost 40 years: It was the Israel Defense Forces that had a critical role in shaping the Singaporean Army's doctrine when it was first founded. The Israeli military training mission to Singapore in the late 60s to early 70s was headed by Yaakov (Jack) Elazari, then a colonel, who was later promoted to brigadier general,​

making the SAF's supply network truly global. Having said the above, a reader can be forgiven in thinking that I'm happy with each and everyone of Singapore's arm's purchases. That is not the case. In actual fact, I have some concerns about capability gaps, deployability and sustainability due to platform age.

Above, the closing cermony officailly ended the bilateral training excerise between the 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, and Soldiers of Alpha Company, 2-35 Infantry Battalion, Bronco Brigade, 3rd BCT 25th ID, 25th Infantry Division, on Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks, July 26, 2014

 

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Singaporean Trainee Section Commanders visit the Kranji War Memorial

The Specialist Cadets paid respects to the heroes of the past who fought bravely against foreign aggressors. The visit to the Kranji War Memorial is an important part of the Specialist Cadets’ Course as they remember the sacrifices of our forefathers in times of war.

"We have strategic relationships with the major powers. We have a credible defence capability. The SAF is an insurance in an uncertain world. Each successor generation of Singaporeans must build on these assets and work out their solutions to new problems, seize new opportunities and avoid impending disasters in an ever changing world. The perennial challenge is to remain competitive. To be competitive, we must remain a cohesive, multi-racial, multi-religious nation based on meritocracy... But so long as the succeeding generations of Singaporeans do not forget the fundamentals of our vulnerabilities, and not delude themselves that we can behave as if our neighbours are Europeans or North Americans, and remain alert, cohesive and realistic, Singapore will survive and prosper."

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
9 April 2009​

In any strategy for defending Singapore, we must embrace apparently contradictory notions (at least on the surface) - as we need to engage difficult partners and yet deter difficult partners at the same time. A sophisticated understanding of security strategy needs to deal with the idea of politik as it is used in the German tradition. A direct Anglo-Saxon translation of the concept will not suffice and lacks flavour. For those interested in 'On War' (link to early English translation provided), there are a number of different translations but translations often do not capture the richness of the original text. The idea of politik encompasses a richness that I am not able to fully convey (since I don't speak German). But, it is also clear to understand strategy, it is necessary to have at least the two conceptual tools of:

(i) analysis - which is the ability to pulling things apart and putting them back together; and

(ii) synthesis - which is the ability to use new combinations to find how apparently unrelated ideas and actions can be related to one another.​

For me, analysis and its handmaiden synthesis are conceptual tools (these conceptual tools are not just used by Clausewitz, rather these tools are to enable us to deal with the dialectical process by which Clausewitz's trinity can be understood in context. To appreciate Clausewitz, some understanding of translation issues is necessary. As a professor of strategy, Christopher Bassford provides us with an interesting but difficult to read article dealing with the interpretation of Clausewitz's work, which was originally written in German. The meaning of the word 'Politik' as used by Clausewitz and its most common English translations, politics and policy, are sometimes problematic. I make no further attempt to restate what Prof. Bassford wrote other than to direct readers to the original article.

Conflict promoting agents always hope to gain political power. Often, if conflict promoting agents gain power, then many of these agents eventually hope to translate such power into wealth. Less questions are asked and debate is often limited in a time of war or a crisis. The promotion of war or the idea of potential conflict by politicians or generals all over the world (to unite a country under the banner of nationalism or some other rhetoric) against an imagined or real enemy is almost as old as politics itself. This sort of idea is not unique to maritime South East Asia. In fact, the regimes in countries like North Korea and Iran like to promote the idea of ongoing conflict to justify the current regime's hold on power. IMHO, the ability to gain or stay in power is good enough reason for irresponsible politicians to promote conflict.

Eg. 1 - Promotion of Nationalism: What did Argentina gain from invading the Falklands Islands in 1982? The military junta certainly gained from a nationalistic fever from their initially successful invasion (until they were subsequently defeated in battle). The initial invasion was considered by Argentina as the re-occupation of its own territory, and by the UK as an invasion of a British overseas territory. And more importantly what did UK gain from re-invading and talking back the Falklands Islands? The political effects of the war were strong in both countries and the government of PM Margaret Thatcher was bolstered by the victory. The recapture of the Falkland Islands from Argentina in 1982 coincided with an improvement in the public standing of Thatcher and her government. The victory seemed to vindicate her claims in domestic politics that she could provide strong leadership and stand up for the nation. The war rhetoric was later turned against the trade unions.

Eg. 2 - A Regional Event in South East Asia: What did Indonesia gain from invading East Timor, when East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975? During the subsequent 24-year occupation a campaign of pacification ensued. Between 1974 and 1999, there were an estimated 102,800 conflict-related deaths (approximately 18,600 killings and 84,200 'excess' deaths from hunger and illness), the majority of which occurred during the Indonesian occupation. I have provided some US document links if you are interested. Why was the Australian led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed in 1999 (after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia)?

Eg. 3 - Conflict triggered by Decolonization: Between 1962–1966, there was a period of Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation over the future of the island of Borneo. It is called Konfrontasi in Indonesian and Malay. As I previously posted, insurgent Indonesian commandos set off bombs at Orchard Road and various other locations in Singapore during the 'Konfrontasi'. In Singapore alone, there were some 40 bomb attacks over about two years. Most of the targets could by no stretch of the imagination be considered legitimate military objectives. They included schools, hotels, cinemas, bus depots, telephone booths and residences. While Indonesia-Singapore relations are much improved since that period, it does have its share of problems to be managed. Respected American scholar of Indonesia, the late Dr George McTurnan Kahin, wrote in 1964 while Konfrontasi was still ongoing, that episode of aggression towards its neighbours was the consequence of the "powerful, self-righteous thrust of Indonesian nationalism" and the widespread belief that "because of (the) country's size… it has a moral right to leadership". Time may have given a more sophisticated gloss to this attitude but has not essentially changed it. This attitude lies, for example, behind the outrageous comments by some Indonesian ministers during the haze in June 2013 that Singapore should be grateful for the oxygen Indonesia provides; it is the reason why Indonesians think Singaporeans should take into account their interests and sensitivities without thinking it necessary to reciprocate. Indonesians and Singaporeans need to understand this. Of course, Indonesia has the right to name its ship anything it pleases, as some Indonesians have argued. But that is beside the point. I do not expect the Indonesians to change the name of the ship. But would any Indonesian leader be prepared to emulate Mr Lee Kuan Yew and place a wreath at MacDonald House? It was not Singapore that started this latest ship naming incident. And Singapore has no interest in seeing relations with a close neighbour strained.​

Singaporeans Struggle for the Right to Breathe in June 2013

Below, SAF soldiers and PA staff members unloading the boxes of N95 masks from a 5-tonner at the PA Headquarters building on 22 June 2013.

It may be hard to believe, but living as neighbours with Indonesia can be literally be suffocating for every Singapore citizen living in Singapore. Take the June 2013 haze as an example, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed 200 servicemen, 44 Multi-Role Utility Vehicles; and 3 5-Tonner trucks to deliver 1 million N95 masks to Singaporeans through the largest grassroots organisation in Singapore - the People's Association. At one stage, the PSI readings crossed over 400 in Singapore. PSI readings of above 300 is considered Hazardous to health. In June 2013, Singapore's Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam said Singapore had offered assistance at all levels, from aircraft to manpower, to Indonesia to combat the haze. But unlike in 2005 when the Indonesians accepted assistance from Singapore, the June 2013 offer was not taken up. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said he hoped the Indonesians would adopt a neighbourly spirit (i.e. accept the token help given, to make it appear that Singapore Government is doing something about the haze). This came after remarks from an Indonesian minister saying that Singapore’s reaction to the haze was childish. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono also rebuked any offer of financial aid from Singapore, unless it was a large amount. “If it’s just half a million (dollars), better we use our own budget.”

On 22 June 2013, the operation began with the vehicles gathering at Kranji Camp III, from where they were dispatched in waves for the delivery of the masks.

The visit instills a sense of purpose and meaning in the cadets as the cadets realise it is their duty to defend Singapore, and they may be called upon to fulfil their duty in the same way as those who are honoured at the War Memorial. It is a monument that reminds us that despite the relative peace we currently enjoy, the threat of war is real; if and when the time comes, the SAF must always be battle-ready.

20/2014 Specialist Cadet Cohort - Visit to Kranji War Memorial

 

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It's a Party in Singapore on 9th August: every year since 1965

Below, the heartbeat of the National Day Parade (NDP).

Below, “NDP: Celebrating in style”.

The Music of NDP

Two NDP songs, We Will Get There & One People, One Nation, One Singapore: http://youtu.be/i7v2f5PXyEU

In NDP 2014, spectators enjoyed a seven-minute display as a tribute to Singapore. Marching to a medley of NDP songs like "Home" and "We Will Get There", the Combined Band put up an interesting interplay between fond memories of Singapore's history and an anticipation of the future with a common goal and spirit. "Home" may be one of the favourite NDP songs, but 1998’s Home was nearly sent home. Its composer, Dick Lee, who is also the creative director for NDP 2014, said the committee which approved NDP songs initially disliked the first line, which said “Whenever I am feeling low”. “There was actually a very strong reaction against the first line. Half of the committee didn’t like the line, and some even asked why it was so negative,” he said. However, Lee said the line was eventually approved, based on the rationale that in 1998, Singapore was in a recession. Home quickly became a huge hit, and was so popular it was performed again by JJ Lin at NDP 2004. It was re-launched on 15 February 2011 (see the video of the 2011 version that was directed by regionally-renowned Orion Chou and produced by Full House Communications: http://youtu.be/z4ZwxkruidA), the music video brought together 39 local singers from across generations including Max Surin, Maggie Teng, Sheik Haikel, Stefanie Sun, JJ Lin, Taufik Batisah, Olivia Ong and more. They are accompanied by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

"Home" is now a well-loved Singaporean classic written by Dick Lee and first sung by Kit Chan. The classic song has been re-imagined by the local band: "The Sam Willows": http://youtu.be/XxZW7bHTAz8

All decked out in her ceremonial uniform here is Sergeant Radin Surina Naim, 31, who plays the Tenor Drums in the SPF Women Police Pipes and Drums (WPPD). This year, she will be performing for the first time in the NDP. “This year will also be the WPPD’s first performance at the NDP since 2010 so it’s quite a big deal for us. To perfect our drills, we have been practising almost every day for the past three months, rain or shine.”

For the first time, a military tattoo will open the Parade and Ceremony segment, and features drummers from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). Marching to the tune of classic NDP hits like Home, over 160 participants - comprising a combined band and the Singapore Armed Forces Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS) - will move into different formations such as a big heart that symoblises Singaporeans' caring spirit. Among the performers are eight drummers from MINDS, who are taking part in the parade for the first time.

Catching up with Dick Lee

As Creative Director for NDP 2014, what’s new about the show?

"I'm a musician, so music is a very important part of my planning. The music has been carefully crafted and the soundtrack is really energetic. This ties in with the concept this year, which is pop art and culture. The whole show is designed to be like a pop concert. We have the biggest LED screen ever seen in Singapore, and great projections. It’s very visual…(and) can be enjoyed by any age and generation."

What is the show going to be about?

"Our focus is (on) highlighting the pioneer generation, everyday heroes, family and community - a tribute to the people who have made us what we are."

What are some of the challenges of staging the show?

"Working with thousands of people is a huge challenge in itself. And doing a show which the whole country has to love is a huge challenge as well. But you just have to do your best."

How do you normally celebrate National Day?

"For me, National Day is a very significant thing. I was in primary school when Independence happened. I remember the troubles during the riots, the curfew and the instability when I was young. With Independence, we had the idea that it was time to move forward. It's a tradition that we have created - watching NDP on TV together as a family."

 

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Bomb Squad was Activated Again to Keep Singapore Safe!

30 July 2014 -- The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) standby team was activated on the morning of 29 July 2014, when a suspected war relic was found at a construction site in the western part of Singapore.

This time it was a 107mm calibre round that was fused and fired. The protective cap was missing and the striker head was exposed making the round extremely dangerous to handle. The heavy rain didn't make things any easier and the relic was assessed to be unsafe for handling. It was eventually safely disposed off on site by our EOD team yesterday evening.

Once again, thank you EOD team for keeping Singapore safe!

 

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National Day Parade Rehearsals 2014

As Chief Master Trainer in the School of Warrant Officer and Specialists, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Low Soon Pan provides guidance to the junior warrant officers and Specialists on the conduct and method of instruction. A role model for the young NSFs and regulars who will be taking on leadership roles in the future, and having taken part in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in Timor Leste, he educates these future leaders and imparts knowledge and skills to them on what it means to defend Singapore. Over the course of his 27 years of service, MWO Low has held several key appointments including Regimental Sergeant Major in 1st Commando Battalion and Officer Commanding in the SAF Specialist Cadet School. He is also the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major of National Day Parade 2014. This is the story of Singaporean, MWO Low Soon Pan. See: http://youtu.be/7hogMhALgRs

Below, the Red Lions rehearsing for Singapore's upcoming National Day on 9th August 2014.

Each combined NDP Rehearsal is viewed by 25,000 spectators, attended by 12,000 participants from 400 organisations for Singapore's birthday celebration. Singer-songwriter Dick Lee is the creative director for the NDP 2014. It will be his third show, having directed the 2002 and 2010 NDPs.

Below, the ceremonial gun crew, floating on Marina Bay with a raft formed by M3 Amphibious Rigs.

See a video of NDP 2014 Combined Rehearsal 3 (Flag fly-by and 21 gun salute): http://youtu.be/uL7o1jE3vVE

Below, Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki Osman in the Chinook flying the Singapore Flag, taking a picture of the audience.

See an early preview of the highlights of the parade in this video by hpility: http://youtu.be/n-iWhYkaAAA

I couldn’t help but smile when the Chinook flew by with the large Singapore Flag at the NDP rehearsal last Saturday. In fact, I would have waved back, if I was not the reviewing officer. Why so enthu? Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki Osman was in the Chinook! It must have been a special day for him as Ramadan comes to a close. Maliki spent the afternoon at Pulau Sudong with intrepid servicemen who rigged up the 340+kg Flag with weights attached and then flew with the Flag!

- Ng Eng Hen​

See a video of behind the scenes of NDP 2014: National Day Parade 2014 Behind the Scenes -- The Parade with a Heart - YouTube

Above, a CH-47 Chinook heading back to base after a successful NDP Rehearsal 2014 fly-past.

 

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The SAF at Basel International Tattoo!

The Basel Tattoo can be viewed here (23:28 onwards).

The SAF Band, SAF-Music and Drama Company (SAF MDC) and SAF Military Police Command's Silent Precision Drill Squad, were at Basel, Switzerland to perform at the Basel International Tattoo.

The Basel International Tattoo is an annual military tattoo show performed by International military bands, display teams, and tattoo formations.

More pictures of the SAF Central Band together with 6 artists from the SAF-Music and Drama Company (MDC) and 15 members of the SAF Military Police Command's Silent Precision Drill Squad.

Let's take a look at the highlights of the wonderful performance! Basel Tattoo 2014 - Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, Forest of Dreams, Guggisberglied, Bandstand - YouTube

Photographs contributed by Singapore Armed Forces Band (SAF Band).

SAF Band debuts at Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

See Singapore Armed Forces Central Band @ Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014: http://youtu.be/0S0P408lIIo

1 August 2014 -- Against the backdrop of the majestic Edinburgh Castle, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band made its debut at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on 1 Aug (UK time). Officially established in 1950, the Tattoo is the longest-running of the international tattoos, and certainly one of the biggest stages for military bands around the world.

See Edinburgh - Day 19 + 20: http://youtu.be/5lUhpxg1VPk

The SAF Band, comprising 51 musicians, six SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC) dancers and 14 Military Policemen (MPs) from the SAF Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS), brought a slice of Singapore to international audiences with its mix of Indian and Malay folk songs, classic National Day tunes, and even an original composition, “Forest Dreams”. Written by Military Expert (ME) 1-1 Dax Wilson Liang Qingxiang, who also arranged the music for the Band's set, Forest Dreams was specially composed for the Chinese folksong segment of the show. "I wanted a folk song that's distinctly Chinese, particularly to the non-Singaporean and non-Chinese ear," explained instructor and horn player ME1-1 Liang of his decision to compose his own piece. He was hoping to find a strong counterpart to the popular Malay and Indian folksongs, which tended to have tunes that were easily identifiable to their respective cultures.

Played on the Chinese flute and drums and accompanied by the flowing costumes of the twirling MDC dancers, the song created a festive atmosphere. To complement the fluidity of the piece, the SPDS devised a new move as well, standing in a line to toss and catch their rifles before kneeling one after the other, creating a wave pattern.

Another first that the Band could boast of was being the first Singaporean band to use the tin whistle in a performance. A small woodwind instrument resembling the humble recorder, the tin whistle has an echoey ring that is characteristic of traditional Celtic music. And it was the perfect accompaniment to the Band's tribute to their host, an acapella rendition of the popular Scottish folksong, Wild Mountain Thyme.

It was the year 2012. The SAF Central Band was playing at the International Military Music Festival in Moscow, unaware that they had caught the eye of then-Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) producer, Major-General Euan Loudon. "The show (they had put together) was very precise and had a variety of representations (of Singapore culture)," explained Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, producer of the 2014 REMT, on why he was drawn to the Band's performance in Moscow. The Tattoo decided to extend their invitation to the Band because "they are one of the great military bands in the world, and they bring an extraordinary quality, not just of precision, but also the flavour and mix of everybody who lives in Singapore".

See Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Dundee: http://youtu.be/SSXhtgiEFB0

PHOTOS – The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014.

 

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NDP 2014 (Part 1 of 2)

The National Day Parade 2014 was divided into 3 segments: Pre-parade, Parade and ceremony, and Show. It revolves around the theme of "Our People, Our Home". See Singapore National Day Parade 2014: http://youtu.be/8rfl3pJB-pU

No. 1 in the World: In its BERI Report 2014-I (April 2014), US-based research institute Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI) ranked Singapore first out of 50 major investment destinations in a ranking that assesses operations, politics and foreign exchange. With no restrictions on the repatriation of profits and the import of capital, along with the most favourable operating conditions and strong diplomatic ties, Singapore’s stable political and economic climate creates an ideal environment to invest in.

No. 1 in the World: Based on the BERI Report 2014, Singapore enjoys the highest ranking for labour force in terms of workers’ productivity and general overall attitude; as displayed by superior business performances with advanced technology and low labour unit costs in relation to the value of goods and services produced.

No. 1 in the World: According to the Doing Business 2014 Report by the World Bank, Singapore is the easiest place in the world to conduct business, partly due to the hassle-free way in which administrative matters are handled. Singapore helps simplify the process of setting up by making it simple to incorporate a company and register for taxes by using the same online form. Forms for construction permits, new workplace safety and healthcare regulations can also be submitted online. In addition, Singapore eased property registration by improving on its computerised system.

No. 1 in the World: Based on a worldwide survey of global freight forwarders and express carriers, the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is a benchmarking tool developed by the World Bank that measures performance along the logistics supply chain within a country. Allowing for comparisons across 160 countries, the index can help countries identify challenges and opportunities and improve their logistics performance. The World Bank conducts the survey every two years. The international LPI analyzes countries in six components:

• The efficiency of customs and border clearance (“Customs”).
• The quality of trade and transport infrastructure (“Infrastructure”).
• The ease of arranging competitively priced shipments (“Ease of arranging shipments”).
• The competence and quality of logistics services—trucking, forwarding, and customs brokerage (“Quality of logistics services”).
• The ability to track and trace consignments (“Tracking and tracing”).
• The frequency with which shipments reach consignees within scheduled or expected delivery times (“Timeliness”).

No. 1 in the World: According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Forecasts Report in 2014, the country was ranked the most attractive as an investment location, both regionally and globally. Factors taken into consideration for ranking purposes were supportive government policies, attractive labour market conditions, a sound infrastructure and financing efficiency.

Below, the Red Lions descending from a Super Puma at NDP 2014. ‪#‎redlions‬

As Andrés Martinez noted in a May 2014 article on Singapore:-

Singapore is an assault on one's preconceptions.

Singapore calls itself the Lion City, but it would be more accurate to call it the Canary City -- the canary in globalization's gold mine. Arguably no other place on earth has so engineered itself to prosper from globalization -- and succeeded at it. The small island nation of 5 million people (it's really just a city, but that's part of what's disorienting) boasts the world's second-busiest seaport... and a raft of number one rankings on lists ranging from least-corrupt to most-business-friendly countries. On the eve of celebrating its 50th anniversary as an independent nation, Singapore is proof that free trade can and does work for multinationals and ordinary citizens alike...

Over a recent week of meetings and briefings.. two offhand remarks bore this out. The first was a statement by one business leader that he has never had to pay a bribe in his lifetime. To an American audience, that may seem like a fairly modest boast, but as this speaker noted, it'd be a difficult claim to make in neighboring Southeast Asian countries (or developing nations anywhere). Growing up in Mexico, my dad (a businessman who'd never set foot in Singapore) would often go on and on at dinner about how our country needed a Lee Kuan Yew. I had a vague sense of what Dad meant, but only now do I get the vehemence behind his sentiment. You couldn't get by in Mexico back then without paying bribes, constantly...

...Until recently, Singapore was among the most welcoming places to outsiders, with one out of every three residents born elsewhere. But with fertility rates dropping, the country opened the floodgates to immigrants... one of the triggering events to a national debate on the issue was a government white paper discussing the target of reaching a population of 7 million. A more spontaneous triggering event was a modest riot late last year in the city's Little India Quarter. This was the subject of the second offhanded remark that struck me most during my recent week in Singapore, when a government official, off-script, said with some relish: "Imagine that, we had a riot: We must be a real place."​

Below, the Red Lions in a donut formation.

No. 2 in the World (after Switzerland): According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2013 – 2014 by the World Economic Forum, Singapore is the best in the world in terms of lack of corruption and high government efficiency. It is also recognised for the strength of its goods and labour markets; leading globally in terms of financial market development. The country’s competitiveness is further reinforced by world-class infrastructure with excellent transportation facilities and a strong focus on education that provides personnel with the skills needed for a rapidly changing global economy.

No. 3 in the World (after New Zealand and Finland): According to The Global Competitiveness Report 2013–2014, Singapore is the least corrupt country in the region where transparency is valued highly; due to clear and strict laws and legislations imposed by the government over business dealings and transactions.

Below, Third Warrant Officer Shirley Ng, finally made her National Day debut with the Red Lions, after her jump last year was called off due to cloudy weather.

In the first-ever Junior Red Lions initiative, 18 Primary 4 and 5 students got the chance to skydive together with the Red Lions at iFly Singapore. They also joined the Red Lions team on stage on 9 August 2014.

Below, a big thumbs up for NDP.

 

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NDP 2014 (Part 2 of 2)

National Day Parade 2014 GoPro: http://youtu.be/iPGCg5T5DU0

Singapore was granted full self-government by the British in 1958. All seats became elected seats and voting became compulsory. In 1959, the People’s Action Party (PAP) came into power after winning a landslide victory. On 16 September 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia along with Sabah and Sarawak, with the blessings of its former British masters. Within two short but tumultuous years, PAP extended its presence into the Peninsular and sent a token number of candidates to contest the 1964 Malaysia election, fuelling friction between Singapore state's leaders and Malaysia's UMNO-led governing Alliance coalition. With uninterrupted government by the PAP, since 1959, the political situation in Singapore sets it apart from the volatility that is characteristic of other countries of the region.

Below, a view of the stage and audience before the start of NDP 2014.

Between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was an integral part of the Federation of Malaysia. Union with Malaya had always been a goal of Lee Kuan Yew and the moderate wing of the PAP. Once the PAP ranks were firmly under Lee’s control, he met with the leaders of Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak to sign the Malaysia Agreement on July 9, 1963, under which the independent nation of Malaysia was formed. However, escalating differences between the local PAP government and the Malaysian Federal government had reached an irreconciliable stage and the Singapore state was evicted from Malaysia on 9 August 1965 to become an independent Republic. The Legislative Assembly was renamed Parliament. Since then, PAP has been returned to power in every general election, securing an overwhelming majority each time.

The General Elections held in 2011 marked a political milestone for Singapore. Although the PAP won, its margin was much smaller than in previous elections. The PAP returned to power in May 2011 with the lowest share of the popular vote since independence, at 60.1 percent. Unlike in European countries or the US, voter dissatisfaction did not stem from a decline in the country’s level of prosperity, since the economy continues to grow at robust pace. The fall in support for the only party ever to have been in power in Singapore seems to have derived from a deeper social inequality. Singapore’s Gini coefficient, an income inequality measure, rose to 0.482 in 2011 from 0.48 2010 and has climbed from 0.444 in 2000, according to the statistics department. A reading of zero means income equality, while a reading of one means complete inequality. Closely linked to this is the perception that the significant opening of the Singaporean market benefits foreign professionals more than it does local ones. Traditionally, it was government policy to allow the generous hiring of foreign professionals.The publication of plans to increase immigration levels with the goal of reaching a population of 6.9 million people in 2030, up from 5.4 million now, triggered controversy and became a key issue in the electoral debate. So the government has gradually toughened legislation on employing foreigners.


Below, MINDS participants playing the Taiko drums during NDP as part of the military tattoo display.

The 2012 by-election was held to fill the vacated seat of Hougang arose after its new Worker's Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Yaw Shin Leong, was expelled from the WP for failing to clarify allegations surrounding his personal indiscretions. Rumours first surfaced online at the start of the year. In early February, Yaw resigned from WP's executive council, where he held the post of treasurer, with no explanation. This failed to appease Low Thia Khiang and the WP party leadership, which voted in favour of the expulsion.

Below, a giant 5,400 square feet Singapore state flag (under-slung from a Chinook with two Apaches as flag escorts), at the NDP 2014 fly past. It takes 30 servicemen an hour to prepare and attach the flag to the Chinook!

According to Singapore's laws, a MP loses his seat if he is no longer member of the party that he was elected under. Having relocated overseas and declining to appeal against WP's decision, Yaw's four-month tenure as a legislator officially ended on 14 February 2012 and was the shortest ever in Singapore history. With a nearly 30% advantage the last time, WP won comfortably with its margin slightly reduced.

Another unexpected by-election was called in 2013 after PAP legislator and Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer resigned from all posts and his party for personal indiscretions with a staff of the People's Association, thereby vacating his single-seat ward. On 12 December 2012, Palmer convened a press conference alongside Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean to apologise on the matter. This made him the shortest-serving Speaker since independence.

Below, the NDP 2014 flag fly-past.

On 12 December 2012, the main opposition WP declared that it will contest should a by-election be held, as it has done so in the ward in 2011, to offer constituents there a choice again. As expected by analysts, the fight was between PAP and WP. Campaign barbs were noticeably milder compared to the past, as the main parties portrayed a gentle image to win over the middle ground. The final results of the 2013 by-election revealed a further voter disenchantment with the ruling party, and the WP's Lee Li Lian, a 34-year-old sales trainer, won 54.5 percent of votes in the four-way race in the northeastern Punggol East district, a 10.8 percentage point lead over the ruling party’s candidate. With the 2013 by-election loss, the PAP holds 80 seats out of the 87-seat Parliament. In light of the changes listed above, it is only natural that Singapore's 49th birthday party is centred around the idea of recognising Singaporeans who are united by a shared purpose to build a resilient, caring and inclusive society.

The scope of the 2012 by-election loss indicates that it is national and there is something fundamentally wrong with the way the PAP is operating. The voters are saying they really want a rethink of some of the government’s policies, and it shows the adverse political sentiment against PAP and their policies, including failures like the escape of Mas Selamat in 2008 and the series of failures that led to Nicoll Highway collapse in 2004. It also does not help that in January 2012, the CPIB announced that the former SCDF commissioner Peter Lim Sin Pang, 51, and former CNB director Ng Boon Gay, 45, were arrested over allegations of serious personal misconduct, in a juicy sex for contracts case that includes a hot, hot MILF. The two cases, known as the ’sex for contracts’ cases, have cast the media spotlight on both the public procurement process and the nature of sexual gratification in the context of Singapore’s anti-bribery regime. Both Lim and Ng were separately investigated for ‘serious personal misconduct’ involving sexual gratification from various women in the IT industry in exchange for allegedly favouring the companies they were working for. The results extended the loss in the 2011 general elections, when a record six opposition members, all from the WP, were elected into the 87-seat Parliament. The PAP claim to competence and image of clean government is slowly being undone by the acts of a MP and some of their carefully selected top civil servants.

Below, the Colours party salute and also leading the march past!

The PAP government took drastic measures starting with cutting immigrant labor. The National Population and Talent Division -- a kind of immigration-cum-human-resources department -- intends to slow the growth of the workforce to about 1 to 2 percent per year over the rest of the decade, which is a dramatic departure from the more than 3 percent annual growth over the past 30 years. With that, GDP growth is likely to retract to an average of 3 to 4 percent per year. But the government has concluded that a slowdown is the right price to pay for keeping a harmonious society. Not only does the data tells it so, the 8 December 2013 Little India riot that lasted for around two hours, tells Singaporeans that the PAP policies of the wholesale importing of foreigners are not well though through, both in terms of wider consideration of the existing social fabric and over-crowding in public spaces (in one of the most densely packed cities in the world). The violence began after a bus ran over and killed a 33-year-old Indian national worker. The December 2013 Little India riot, in Singapore, was the first in over 40 years, and it raised the question of complacency at multiple levels of government. The riot was “a new thing, that’s definitely a watershed of a kind,” Bilveer Singh, an associate professor at National University of Singapore’s department of political science, said by phone. “I don’t think we have seen this for decades now. In perspective, this is a spontaneous act. It is not something politically motivated. At a broad, strategic level, it is something new after a long time,” Singh from NUS said. The government would need to act sternly against those who rioted, he said. “The future insecurities of Singapore are one, internal, two, important. Singaporeans won’t tolerate this because Singaporeans are becoming very nationalistic.”

By way of background, the economy of Singapore is one of the most open in the world, making it an exception in its region. International rankings place the country, at 49, among the world’s most open economies and most attractive overall investment destinations. Neither its economic structure nor its trade profile are typical of South-East Asia. So it should come as no surprise that Singapore is the only member of the ASEAN to have separate free trade agreements with both the US and the EU.

Singapore has bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia, China, India, Japan, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the United States and the European Free Trade Association. Two more FTAs with Costa Rica and the Gulf Cooperation Council have been signed and are expected to come into force soon. In fact, Singapore has more free trade agreements – be they planned, under negotiation or signed, sealed and in force – than any other Asian country. Its trade ties with the China, EU, India, Japan and US are nothing short of excellent. Within ASEAN, Singapore is committed to working with its ASEAN partners to create the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). ASEAN has also signed FTAs with major regional economies such as Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.

Below, fireworks display.

ASEAN is now more robust than in 1967. It has been an exception among Third World regional organisations. ASEAN has avoided being bogged down in post-colonial rivalries and tensions, and has focused on development. Several ASEAN countries are in political transitions, working towards more sustainable and durable systems. Political circumstances will determine ASEAN’s pace of progress. Placed between the giants of China and India, ASEAN countries have to combine their markets to compete and be relevant as a region. There is no other choice. ASEAN is also playing a major role in shaping a wider architecture of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Time has worn down many of the sharper edges in Singapore's relations with our immediate neighbours. A habit of working together in ASEAN has also helped. Thanks to the leadership of Mr Lee and his founding team of ministers, Singapore is now more established, internationally and regionally due to the ground work laid by them.

 

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Murai Urban Live Firing Facility (MULFAC)

14 August 2014 -- Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated the opening of MULFAC at the Lim Chu Kang Live Firing Area. MULFAC provides enhanced training realism and effectiveness up to company level as urban live firing can now be conducted internally and externally with live door breaching charges for a complete force-level urban assault manoeuvre.

To provide realistic UO training, MULFAC employs judgemental ('Friend-or-Foe') targets to simulate realistic scenarios. In addition, the firebases use simulated urban and vehicular targets for precise anti-personnel shooting. Soldiers will also employ battlefield instrumentation with the Advance Combat Man System (ACMS) and Urban Operations sensors for enhanced command and control.

MULFAC enables integrated combined arms urban operations training. Complementing the Multi-Mission Range Complex in developing urban marksmanship skills and the Murai Urban Training Facility in Urban Operations training, MULFAC focuses on collective urban live firing up to company level.

MULFAC primarily supports urban live firing training for active and NS units from motorised and light Infantry/Guards, Island Defence and Armoured Infantry, as well as leadership training schools.

Features and Capabilities

MULFAC comprises the following:

· Five Urban Operations Buildings (Blocks 617, 618, 619, 620, 621)

· A Hand Grenade (HG) House

· An After Action Review (AAR) Facility

· Two Firebases - a Close and Far Firebase (CFB and FFB)​

Brigadier-General (BG) Chiang Hock Woon, Commander 9th Division and Chief Infantry Officer explained:

"We envisage that the modern battlefield is going to be fought in a heavily dense urbanised area, so the whole SAF and specifically, the Army, is transforming into an urban capable force. So MULFAC comes in as a very useful facility to train our soldiers realistically for operations which they will be put into.

For urban live firing, close coordination and precise shooting are critical components for a successful mission. This allows troops and commanders to practise command and control to minute details, so that missions can be conducted successfully and safely."​

Also in the works for MULFAC is a HG House where troops will be able to throw live grenades into a room before storming it. This is targeted to be ready by December 2014.

 

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Australia and Singapore Bilateral Relations (Part 1 of 3)

Below, Australia's 21st Prime Minister Gough Whitlam shaking hands with then Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Project 2025: Seeking new levels of integration across four sectors:

(i) economic;
(ii) foreign affairs;
(iii) defence and security, and
(iv) people-to-people fields.​

MFA Press Statement: Eighth Meeting of the Singapore–Australia Joint Ministerial Committee, Singapore, 22 August 2014

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb, and Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert will attend the eighth meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) in Singapore on 22 August 2014. (The SAJMC meeting was last held in Canberra in September 2012.) Singapore will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang and Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Launched in 1996 by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, the SAJMC is a high-level bilateral dialogue mechanism that is hosted alternately between Singapore and Australia. With 2015 marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia, the SAJMC meeting provides an opportunity for Singapore and Australian Ministers to comprehensively review bilateral relations and identify ways to expand cooperation. The Ministers are also expected to have an exchange of views on regional and international political, economic and security developments.

The Australian Ministers will also make a joint call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and be hosted to lunch by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SINGAPORE
21 AUGUST 2014

Below, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert met with their counterparts in Singapore and discussed ways to heighten the relationship between the two countries. See also: on.fb.me/1tSw9XG

New strategic partnership in store for Singapore and Australia

SINGAPORE: A 10-year roadmap to further enhance and deepen the Singapore-Australia partnership was agreed upon on Friday (Aug 22), at the Eighth Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC).

Called Project 2025, the new comprehensive strategic partnership will mark a new era for Singapore-Australia ties. The roadmap will see new levels of integration between the two countries across four sectors: economic, foreign affairs, defence and security, and people-to-people fields.

Officials have been tasked to prepare a bilateral joint declaration that will be signed between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2015. This will also mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia. Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb, and Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert attended the SAJMC meeting, while Singapore was represented by Minister for Law and Foreign Affairs Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Launched in 1996 by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Australia Prime Minister Paul Keating, the SAJMC is a high-level bilateral dialogue mechanism that is hosted alternately by Singapore and Australia. It was last held in Canberra in Sep 2012. This year, the ministers spent the day discussing how best to elevate the long-standing relations between Singapore and Australia with regards to Project 2025. Said Ms Bishop: "We are going into areas that we have not been before. We're talking about labour mobility, looking for opportunities for things like working-holiday visas for young Singaporeans, young Australians, and bringing together a whole basket of initiatives and ideas that in the past, we might have thought about but never actually implemented."

There was also agreement to upgrade the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement to a closer economic partnership. This means re-examining some of the rules to "create an environment, a framework, that allows a freer flow of investments, people, capital", said Mr Shanmugam.

Foreign affairs will also see enhanced consultations on regional and international issues, while in defence, there will be more exchanges at the military and official levels. The sharing of intelligence to counter terrorism and radicalisation was also discussed, in view of the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Syria. Said Dr Ng: "We felt that we could exchange more information because these threats, if they materialise, will affect all citizens of all races and all religions."

In the area of people-to-people relations, the ministers agreed to step up cooperation in research and innovation, education, women, and arts and culture. They also committed to expand public-sector cooperation and exchanges.

The Australian ministers later called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

Assistant Minister for Defence – Australia and Singapore strengthen defence science cooperation

25 August 2014 -- Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert today met with Mr Tan Peng Yam, the Chief Executive of Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency, to discuss closer defence science and technology cooperation between Australia and Singapore. Increased cooperation is in line with the Australian and Singaporean Governments’ desire to enhance the relationship, including through deeper defence science and technology collaboration.

“My meeting with Mr Tan today follows on from discussions with Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen last week at the Singapore Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting, and last November when we visited Singaporean Armed Forces training in Queensland,” Mr Robert said. “I can attest first hand to the professionalism of the Singaporean Armed Forces and their willingness to be innovative in their use of science and technology to deliver outstanding military capabilities.” Mr Tan is leading a Singaporean delegation attending a workshop on Systems Engineering and Integration organised by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in Adelaide. “There are real benefits for both our countries in sharing knowledge, especially in systems engineering and integration—an area in which Singapore is considered a world leader,” Mr Robert said. Mr Robert and Mr Tan discussed opportunities to further strengthen defence science collaboration between Australia and Singapore. “Australia can learn from Singapore’s adoption of innovative technologies and how they readily partner with industry and universities to get enhanced capabilities into the hands of their warfighters as quickly as possible,” Mr Robert said.

23 Sept 2014 -- Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, met with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary for Defence Development and Second Permanent Secretary for Health, Major General Ng Chee Khern (Ret’d), and Singapore’s Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Quek Tong Boon, to discuss closer defence engagement, including science and technology cooperation. “Australia is pleased to share a sophisticated defence relationship with Singapore and is committed to developing science and technology cooperation for the benefit of both our Defence Forces,” Mr Robert said.

Below, Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam presented the Letter of Credence to Mr Burhanudeen Gafoor, Singapore’s High Commissioner-designate to the Commonwealth of Australia, at the Istana on 28 August 2014.

2 Oct 2014 -- Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert and Singapore’s Chief of Army, Major General Perry Lim, met to discuss how future engagement can contribute to a stronger defence relationship. Mr Robert said the close and longstanding defence relationship between the Singapore and Australian Armies has been forged through cooperation in many areas.

While in Australia, Major General Lim also met with his counterpart, Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison.

Below, over the skies of Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black: RSAF's F-15SG and F-16C/D are joined here by the RAAF's F/A-18A Hornet and F/A-18F Super Hornet, the RTAF's JAS 39 Gripen, the United Arab Emirate Air Force's Mirage 2000-9 and the USAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon. See: http://youtu.be/sDs-G6HBenY

P.S. Singaporean Vipers and Eagles just completed Exercise Pitch Black 2014; and they are also involved Exercise Tri-Sling a groundbreaking trilateral air combat exercise in northern Australia. Exercise 'Tri-Sling' is an offshoot of Exercise 'Commando Sling' between the RSAF and the USAF. The exercise, from 25 August to 12 September, is being held outside Singapore for the first time. The drill began immediately after the participating air forces concluded their involvement in the multinational Exercise 'Pitch Black' and uses airspace above the Delamere Air Weapons Range and Bradshaw Field in Australia's Northern Territory. The 2014 installment of the SAF's annual Exercise Wallaby is set to begin on Monday, 15 September (see here and here).

 

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Speech by Minister for Manpower Mr Tan Chuan-Jin at the 94/14 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade

...There have been ups and downs. There have been so many humbling moments where you find yourself inadequate as a leader and as a person. It will happen, but those are also the moments when I learnt the most. I also often wish that I had realised some of these things that I did and that I do now, a lot earlier. Allow me to share with you three perspectives to consider as you too embark on your journey. To remember our purpose; to remember what it is like to be a leader; and to always build our nation.

Firstly, we need to understand that above all, we are a professional arms dedicated to the protection of our people and our nation. Wars may seem like a farfetched notion. It seemed that way too, to many countries that have been subjugated over the years. It happened to Singapore when the Japanese invaded in February 1941. They subjected us to years of untold misery and suffering. This must not happen again. We built and structured the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to deter and should deterrence fail to achieve a swift and decisive victory. We must be clear that if and when we are called into action, there is no second chance. There's no runner-up medal. There are no words of consolation like "Good effort, try again next time", and there is certainly no semula. For us as a small nation, we really do have no fallback option. This is why we built up the SAF the way we would. This is why we train hard. This is why we need to carry out our duties professionally, because if we don't do it, nobody else will. We owe it to our people to protect them. We owe it to our soldiers to make sure they win and come back to their families. This is why we must continue to learn and to grow, and to ensure this. And this is why we serve.

Secondly, I hope that we also realise that our rank does not represent leadership. It does not make us a leader. We command because we have been given that authority and the weight that comes with that. But we lead because others follow. They follow because they trust us. They trust us because of who we are and the values we stand for. They trust us when we are able to put others before self. It is not just about what we say or what we do, important as that may be, but also what we don't say and don't do, and also how we say it and how we do it. This is why; again, we must continue to learn and to grow, to constantly put our values to practice, to learn to subordinate ourselves to the greater good of others. That will shape who we are, and that will determine if others will follow.

Thirdly, because we understand our purpose and our role as leaders, we realise that we do need the will and determination. Whatever the capabilities we develop in the SAF, it will come to nothing if we don't have the will to fight and defend what is our own. We must believe that our people and our nation is worth fighting for. This sense of a nation and of a people doesn't just happen - we need to nurture it, we need to build it. We all know from lessons learnt from wars, that soldiers often don't just fight for flag and country, they do so for their buddies next to them so as not to let them down and not to fail them. Clearly, while we can provide you the house, we cannot provide you a home, and this is our home. A home is built on love and compassion, relationships that bind; which is why we must do what we can to build up these ties in our family, in our community, in our network, in your unit. These relationships give, bring the nation meaning, which is why even as we train and serve, remember that we must also build our heartware and strengthen these bonds.

Let me end with my own personal journey as a leader in the SAF. I was a Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, 10th Mono-Intake. In fact, Colonel Seet Uei Lim, Commander OCS, was my company commander. The men enlisted close to the end of 2000 and ORD-ed (Operationally Ready Date) at the end of 2002. Over the many years, they returned for In Camp Training at 662 Guards. We believed in training the men hard and to push the boundaries so that they will win in the event that we do need to go to war. We volunteered and programmed for as much live firing as possible, so that we trained as we fight, and we fight as we train. But we also tried to build up a strong sense of camaraderie and our soldiers understand what is really at stake, and what it means to be a Singaporean. We also tried hard at developing our leaders so that they could be better people. We also lead by example, so as to inspire them to train harder. We also believed that there is purpose in this seeming madness. We also hoped that we could develop responsible and committed citizens, sons and fathers. 662 Guards' last ICT started last Saturday. Some of us will be marching these last steps alongside them - my platoon commanders, company commanders, the various leaders in the unit. Why do we do it? Well, perhaps in some small way, we have woven bound bonds that bind. That's for a lifetime. And these bonds will be the foundation upon which our nation will continue to be built. Perhaps these are the bonds that will commit us to keeping our nation forever strong and free.

To all the leaders standing before us, care for your people, protect our nation and lead well.

 

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The Geo-Political Context of US-Singapore Ties: Milestones in Security Cooperation (Part 4 of 4)

Below, Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (far left) at the Manama Dialogue held in Bahrain in Dec 2014.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong commented on the strategic importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and how the United States should be part of the pact. PM Lee was speaking at the Singapore Summit 2014 Dialogue held on 20 September 2014: The strategic importance of the TPP to the US (Singapore Summit 2014) - YouTube

U.S. Pacific Command: Soldiers Update Tiger Balm 2014 - Youtube

<<Life’s Motto>>

On his farewell visit, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, GEN James Amos, presented me with a beautiful statue of their insignia. An eagle on a globe and anchor carries the ribbon with the words “Semper Fidelis” – Always loyal.

US Marines have lived and died by this motto in over 200 years of battles in the illustrious history of their Corps. Indeed, a simple phrase has been the cornerstone of how generations of “Marine families” not only choose to fight but to live by an unwavering code – to be always loyal to each other, family, Corps and country – at all times, good and bad.

In an age where everything is increasingly relative, simple unambiguous mottoes without caveats anchor us. In medicine, doctors are still taught, as I was, to above all to practise their craft through another Latin phrase “Primum Non Nocere” – “Do No Harm”. It recognised that we must never abuse our privileged position and use it to do good. “Do Good, Do Right” is another motto that guides me now.

It’s not always easy in this complex world with many conflicting issues and competing needs, so I attach a prayer to this – God grant us the wisdom to find that which is good and right.

- Ng Eng Hen

Above, William J. Wesley, US Pacific Fleet's executive director for plans and policy, speaks to students and faculty of Singapore's Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College during an informational brief in Pearl Harbour on 11 September 2013. The visit emphasized the importance of establishing, building and growing international relationships in the Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Johans Chavarro)

US-Singapore Bilateral Highlights 2014 (as at end August)

(i) Singapore hosted the second United States-Singapore Strategic Partnership Dialogue on 27 January 2014, co-chaired by Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) Chee Wee Kiong and US Assistant Secretary of State (East Asia and Pacific Affairs) Danny Russel. The Dialogue covered a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, and underscored the multi-faceted and long-standing relations between Singapore and the US. Both sides discussed ways in which bilateral cooperation could be further strengthened, including through initiatives like the US-Singapore Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) and Singapore’s membership of the steering committee of the US-Asia Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership (USACEP).

(ii) A US Congressional Staff Delegation (STAFFDEL) visited Singapore from 16 to 21 February 2014. The STAFFDEL called on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam and attended briefings by various Ministries and agencies.

(iii) Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam made a working visit to Washington DC from 12 – 16 May 2014. During the visit, Minister Shanmugam met with US Secretary of State John Kerry; Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker; Attorney General Eric Holder; Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas; Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work; Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Senator Bob Menendez; Chairman of the SFRC Subcommittee on European Affairs Senator Chris Murphy; Member of the SFRC SubCommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs Senator Jeff Flake; Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services Senator Ted Cruz; and Chairman of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Near East, South and Central Asian Affairs Senator Tim Kaine; and senior Administration officials. Minister Shanmugam delivered a keynote address to the American Jewish Committee Global Forum World Leaders Plenary, where he underscored Singapore’s close ties and friendship with the US and Israel. Minister Shanmugam also participated in a roundtable and gave an interview to Foreign Policy.

Below, CPT Chan Pey Ling attended an Information Support Operations course conducted by the US Army, and emerged as an Honours graduate. The course aims to equip officers with necessary knowledge and skills to manage information and communications in the military.

(iv) Minister Shanmugam co-chaired the 3rd Singapore-US Strategic Dialogue (SUSSD) held from 14-15 May 2014 in Washington DC together with former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, and former Governor of Utah and former Ambassador to Singapore and China Jon Huntsman. At the SUSSD, Minister Shanmugam delivered a luncheon address on “The Future of US-Singapore Relations”, highlighting Singapore’s close and longstanding economic, defence and strategic relations with the US. The SUSSD delegation included Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Senior Minister of State for National Development Lee Yi Shyan; Minister of State for Communications and Information and Minister of State for Education Sim Ann; Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee; and Member of Parliament Dr Janil Puthucheary.

(v) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a working visit to Washington DC and New York from 21 – 26 June 2014. PM Lee met President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Chair of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen, representatives of the Senate, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez, House Armed Services Committee Members Randy Forbes and Colleen Hanabusa, as well as senior administration officials. PM Lee delivered the opening remarks at a reception to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement co-hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council. PM Lee also had a dialogue with the Council on Foreign Relations and gave an interview to POLITICO magazine. In New York, PM Lee had separate meetings with former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, former Mayor of New York City and United Nations Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael Bloomberg, leaders in the US private sector as well as members of the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. PM Lee also launched the New York Office of Temasek Holdings.

(vi) US Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman visited Singapore from 22 – 25 February and 19 – 20 May 2014 to attend Trans-Pacific Partnership Ministerial Meetings hosted by Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang.

Below, USS Freedom, is the first of up to 4 LCS vessels that will operate out of Changi Naval Base, Singapore, as part of the US pivot to Asia.

(vii) US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and US Senator Ben Cardin visited Singapore from 30-31 May 2014 for the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. During their visits, Secretary Hagel called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, while Senator Cardin called separately on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.

(viii) US Senator Bob Corker visited Singapore from 5 – 7 August 2014. During his visit, Corker called separately on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu.

(ix) A Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visited Singapore from 14 – 15 August 2014. The CODEL was hosted to breakfast by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam and called on Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen.

Above, a Red Lion in free fall on 9 August 2014, against the backdrop of the thousands of ships that sail in and out of Singapore port every week.
​

Below, sharing a moment of grief with his fellow Singaporeans, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pays his respects to his friend and former classmate, Lieutenant General (LTG) Timothy Maude at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Prime Minister Lee and LTG Maude attended staff college together at Fort Leavenworth in 1978-1979. This single picture shared by Prime Minister Lee has gathered over 11,000 likes on his facebook page - showing the strong Singaporean sentiment of solidarity with Americans on the attacks they suffered on 9-11.

LTG Timothy J. Maude (November 18, 1947 – September 11, 2001), was the highest ranking military officer killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. He held the position of U.S. Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, and was in his Pentagon office area when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of The Pentagon, directly into his office area, killing him and many of his staff. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana LTG Maude enlisted into the Army on March 21, 1966 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon completing Officer Candidate School in February 1967. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from Golden Gate University and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Ball State University. Upon being commissioned he served one year in Vietnam and the rest of his career in the United States, West Germany and Korea. His assignments include Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Installation Management Seventh United States Army (a.k.a. United States Army Europe and Seventh Army or USAREUR) and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel United States Army.

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget.

At 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767–United Airlines Flight 175–appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower at about the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and the streets below. America was under attack.

As millions watched in horror the events unfolding in New York, American Airlines Flight 77 circled over downtown Washington and slammed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters at 9:45 a.m. Jet fuel from the Boeing 757 caused a devastating inferno that led to a structural collapse of a portion of the giant concrete building. All told, 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in the Pentagon along with all 64 people aboard the airliner.

United Flight 93–was hijacked about 40 minutes after leaving Newark International Airport in New Jersey. Because the plane had been delayed in taking off, passengers on board learned of events in New York and Washington via cell phone and Airfone calls to the ground. Knowing that the aircraft was not returning to an airport as the hijackers claimed, a group of passengers and flight attendants planned an insurrection. One of the passengers, Thomas Burnett, Jr., told his wife over the phone that “I know we’re all going to die. There’s three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey.” Another passenger–Todd Beamer–was heard saying “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll” over an open line. Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, called her husband and explained that she had slipped into a galley and was filling pitchers with boiling water. Her last words to him were “Everyone’s running to first class. I’ve got to go. Bye.”

The passengers fought the four hijackers and are suspected to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher. The plane then flipped over and sped toward the ground at upwards of 500 miles per hour, crashing in a rural field in western Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. All 45 people aboard were killed.

 

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Special Forces Commanders’ Conference (Part 1 of 2)

<< Special Forces Conference – Counter-terrorism takes centre stage >>

Below, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted lunch for the heads of delegation of the participating countries at the Special Forces Commanders' Conference (SFCC) on 15 Oct 2014.

The SAF recently hosted the second Special Forces Commanders’ Conference with the theme, “Evolving Terrorist Threats: Challenges and Opportunities for Special Forces”. About 400 military guests and notable speakers from 15 countries attended the event.

I met the Special Forces Commanders for lunch. I asked them how many of their countries had residents going to Iraq or Syria to join ISIS. Majority of hands went up. The return of these radicalised citizens, indoctrinated and trained to inflict violence on civilians poses a real threat to many countries, Singapore included. We discussed how special forces can collaborate and train to respond to such threats. Good meeting but sober reminder about how the fight against terrorism continues.

- Ng Eng Hen​

The conference theme “Evolving Terrorist Threats: Challenges and Opportunities for Special Forces” aptly describes the threat environment that we face today and in the near future.

Since the last Special Forces Commanders’ Conference (SFCC) in 2009, we had seen the decimation of the Al-Qaeda core leadership, in large part due to the good work of fellow members from the Special Forces (SF) community. Despite these successes, the world has encountered many new and emerging challenges. While global attention was given to the piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden, other regions, such as the western coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, have faltered in the hands of opportunists. Today we also see a renewed vitality in terrorist activities from the rise of Islamic State (IS), one that is growing in formidability and threatening the international peace and security.

The response to transnational terrorism requires us to work more collaboratively and multilaterally. None of us are spared from the threats, as radicalised individuals and returned fighters armed with skills and terror tactics introduce a different dimension to our threat environment. Only by building our SF networks to share timely and actionable intelligence, operational experiences, and understand the motivations of our adversaries, can we stay ahead of the evolving terrorist threats.

Your presence here demonstrates your commitment to our fight against terrorism. At this year’s Special Forces Commanders’ Conference, we have invited academic professionals to share on the emerging threat landscape, the challenges that Special Forces faced, and how Special Forces are employed in the new threat paradigm. You will also be hearing first-hand accounts of operational experiences and their efforts in combating terrorism from the military commanders.

To this end, let me warmly welcome you to SFCC 2014, and may you take this opportunity to expand your personal networks and deepen your professional knowledge amongst the Special Forces fraternity. I wish you all a pleasant stay in Singapore.

COL Simon Lim
Commander Special Operations Task Force /
Chief Commando Officer​

 

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Special Forces Commanders’ Conference (Part 2 of 2)

Speakers and topics

(i) The Evolving Threat of Transnational Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Implications for Special Forces, by Dr Kumar Ramakrishna, Associate Professor, Head of Centre of Excellence for National Security, S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore. His current research interests include British propaganda in the Malayan Emergency; propaganda theory and practice; history of strategic thought; and counter-terrorism with a focus on radicalization. 
Ramakrishna has been a frequent speaker on counter-terrorism before local and international audiences, a regular media commentator on the issue and published in numerous internationally refereed journals. His book, Radical Pathways: Understanding Muslim Radicalization in Indonesia (Praeger Security International, 2009), was featured as one of the top 150 books on terrorism and counterterrorism in an article published in Perspectives of Terrorism, Vol 6 No 2 (2012). Ramakrishna was said to be “one of Southeast Asia’s leading counterterrorism experts” and Radical Pathways “an important and insightful case study on the pathways to extremism and violent jihad in Indonesia”.

Below, Dr Stephen Sloan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma where he was also a Presidential Professor. He also held the title of the Lawrence J. Chastang Distinguished Professor of Terrorism Studies at the University of Central Florida.

(ii) The Shifting Global Threat Paradigm, by Dr Stephen Sloan, Professor Emeritus, Presidential Professor, University of Oklahoma. His latest book co-authored with Robert J. Bunker is Red Teams and Counterterrorism Training. This work followed his initial study Simulating Terrorism. He has also co-authored with Sean Anderson the Historical Dictionary of Terrorism which is now in its third edition. Dr. Sloan has also specialized in the study of counterinsurgency and has authored books and articles in that area. He addressed counterterrorism and counterinsurgency doctrine as a Senior Research Associate at the Air University. He also led a counterterrorism practice for a large consulting firm in Washington. In addition, he developed courses for mid and senior managers in the intelligence community. Over the years he has worked closely with the Special Forces community in regards to meeting current and future unconventional threats. His current research addresses the changing nature of insurgency.

(iii) Employing the Special Forces in the New Threat Paradigm, by Mr Ali Soufan, CEO, The Soufan Group. Mr Ali Soufan is the Chief Executive Officer of The Soufan Group. Mr Soufan is a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent who investigated and supervised highly sensitive and complex international terrorism cases, including the East African Embassy Bombings, the attacks on the USS Cole, and the events surrounding 9/11. Mr Soufan also serves as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is the author of The New York Times Top 10 Bestseller, “The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al Qaeda.” He is regarded as a leading national security and counterterrorism expert, and continues to play a significant advisory role on today’s most sensitive issues. Mr Soufan had a distinguished career in the FBI, including serving on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI New York Office, where he coordinated both domestic and international counterterrorism operations. He often operated out of hostile environments and carried-out sensitive extra-territorial missions and high-level negotiations, and has received numerous awards and commendations for his counter-terrorism work. These include the Director of the FBI’s Award for Excellence in Investigation, the Respect for Law Enforcement Award for “relentless pursuit of truth and bringing terrorist subjects before the bar of justice,” and a commendation from the U.S. Department of Defense that labeled him “an important weapon in the ongoing ware on terrorism.” Mr Soufan’s work has also been detailed in several non-fiction books, including “The Looming Tower” by Lawrence Wright. Mr Soufan’s book, The Black Banners (published Sep 12, 2011) was selected as a book of the year by The Sunday Times. In April 2012, Ali Soufan was announced as the recipient of the ninth annual Ridenhour Book Prize.

(iv) New Challenges and Opportunities facing Special Forces today - 'Lessons from Australian SOCOMD's experiences in Afghanistan and current operational challenges faced by Australian Special Forces, by Lieutenant Colonel Garth Gould, DSM. Commanding Officer, 2nd Commando Regiment / Commander Joint Counter Terrorism Task Force, ADF

(v) An Operational View of the Asia – Pacific and Oceania Threat Landscape, by Colonel Jim Blackwell, ONZM, Director, Directorate of Special Ops, HQ NZDF

(vi) Adapting the Special Forces to an Ever Evolving Threat – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Experience, by Major General Donato B. San Juan II AFP, Commander Special Operations Command, Philippines Army

(vii) Indonesia KOPASSUS’ Experiences in Fighting Terrorism, by Brigadier General TNI Muhammad Herindr, MA., Deputy Commanding General Special Forces Command (WADANJEN KOPASSUS), TNI-AD

(viii) Enhancing Multi-Lateral Collaboration, by Rear Admiral Colin J. Kilrain, Commander, Special Operations Command, Pacific, US. Rear Admiral Kilrain has participated in special operations in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa. Operational Tours in Naval Special Warfare include: SEAL Team 3; the Personal Exchange Program (PEP) with the German navy Kampfschwimmer Kompanie (SEALS) in Eckernfoerde, Germany; Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU); Commander, Special Operations Command (SOCSOUTH) in Panama as the maritime operations officer; executive officer of Naval Special Warfare Unit 2 in Stuttgart, Germany; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 2 as the task unit commander and special operations adviser on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). His staff assignments include duty as operations officer for the State Department's Office of Counterterrorism; Joint Special Operations Command, as deputy commander of the Joint Reconnaissance Task Force; executive office of the President at the White House, where he served on the National Security Council as the director of Strategy and Policy for the Office of Combating Terrorism; the senior defense officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico; and as assistant commanding officer, Joint Special Operations Command. His command tours include: Naval Special Warfare Unit Four, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; SEAL Team 4, and Naval Special Warfare Group 2.

(ix) Operating Together Today – The SOTF Perspective, by Brigadier General (NS) Lam Shiu Tong, former Commander SOTF / Chief Commando Officer, SAF.

"A versatile force: The future of Australia’s special operations capability" by Andrew Davies, Peter Jennings and Benjamin Schreer and published in April 2014, provides a good overview of SOCOMD's experiences in Afghanistan.

Opening Address by MG Perry Lim, Chief of Army, at the Special Forces Commanders' Conference 2014

Today's Security Landscape - We Must Continue to Cooperate and Improve
Despite these successes, the world still faces many new and emerging challenges. The clear and present threat posed by IS is a case in point. We are constantly reminded that security challenges continue to exist and hinder peaceful development. Ensuring security is very much a whole-of-government effort, which requires interagency cooperation between civilian and defence entities. Militaries can bring to bear their operational planning expertise, organisational strengths, and a wide variety of assets and manpower. Due to globalisation, terrorist threats have become transnational in nature, and it is not possible to isolate such threats to a single operational or geographical area. Only through mutual sharing and learning can we develop more comprehensive and effective solutions.

The international military response to constant security threats must be coordinated and mutually supportive. Earlier this week, Singapore co-chaired the 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism, or EWG-CT, with Australia. The EWG-CT is not only a platform for regional militaries to exchange views on emerging terrorist threats, but also a platform to cooperate in practical scenarios. From the EWG-CT, a Counter-Terrorism Exercise was hosted by Indonesia in September 2013. The exercise gathered ADMM-Plus militaries to share CT expertise, as well as to facilitate mutual understanding of one another's Tactics Techniques and Procedures. We aim to build upon this as the current co-chair of the EWG-CT. Furthermore, the Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism will work closely with the Expert Working Group on Maritime Security Group to commence joint planning on a Counter-Terrorism / Maritime Security Exercise in 2016.

The Special Forces Community is Best Poised for Cooperation
Special Forces is the sharp tip of the spear delivering strategic action in hostile engagements, yet also the human face on the ground in peaceful scenarios. This characteristic is ever more important in modern times where irregular warfare has become the norm. Likewise, in international military cooperation, the Special Forces fraternity is positioned to lead because collaboration has always been a part of the Special Forces ethos and way of life.

At the smallest denomination, there are few bonds in the military as strong as those shared by soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the various Special Forces outfits. In the way you operate, the human dimension is most important, underscored by teamwork. It is how you have been brought up.

At the service and armed-forces level, Special Forces have blazed the trail towards 'jointness', both in command and operating functions. Many countries have some form of joint command to manage cross-service Special Forces. Here in Singapore, we established an integrated Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) in 2009, which brought together Special Forces from the Army's Commandos and the Navy's Naval Divers with a supporting Air Aviation component. Although relatively new, the SOTF is a good example of cross-service integration of operations, training, and capability development. This establishment is similar to how many other renowned international Special Forces are organised and effectively prosecute special operations.

Flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly with creative solutions is a hallmark of how you operate. Being a small group also means more familiarity with those you work with, both domestically and internationally. As a member of this fraternity, you are probably more likely to recognise familiar faces here than in a conventional military conference. This is going to be a great advantage because more than ever, we need multilateral Special Forces cooperation in information sharing, counter-terrorism responses, and shared Special Forces operating procedures in order to stay ahead of the threats we face today.

Conclusion
In this year's SFCC, the organisers have brought together a variety of distinguished academic and military speakers who will share on topics related to the conference theme of "Evolving Terrorist Threats: Challenges and Opportunities for Special Forces". I encourage the robust exchange of ideas and open sharing of best practices in the next two days to strengthen multilateral cooperation, particularly within the Special Forces community. Having said that, I also encourage all of you to take this opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new friends to last.

I wish you all a fruitful conference and a pleasant stay in Singapore. Thank you.

Professor Sloan engaged in his initial research in Indonesia and was there when the attempted coup took place in 1965. His first book was A Study in Political Violence: The Indonesian Experience. Since the 1970's he was a pioneer in the study of terrorism. His course was one of the first given in an US University. His research led to his developing and conducting of simulations of terrorists incidents for military and police forces in the US and overseas.